World’s Poorest President’ José Mujica Dies at 89 

MONTEVIDEO — José Mujica, Uruguay’s most unconventional and beloved former president — dubbed the “world’s poorest president” — has died at age 89 after battling oesophageal cancer.

A rebel-turned-ruler with a penchant for old cars, modest living, and plainspoken wisdom, Mujica’s death was confirmed by current President Yamandú Orsi, who posted on X: “Thank you for everything you gave us and for your deep love for your people.”

Mujica was never your typical head of state. Instead of embracing luxury, he shunned the presidential palace, gave away most of his salary, and preferred life on a small farm with his wife, former guerrilla fighter and senator Lucía Topolansky.

His signature look were Casual clothes and a beat-up 1987 Volkswagen Beetle — the kind of car you’d expect from a mechanic, not a president.

But behind the humble exterior was a firebrand with a jaw-dropping past.

Before his presidency from 2010 to 2015, Mujica helped form the Tupamaros, a left-wing urban guerrilla group inspired by the Cuban revolution.

They carried out armed robberies, kidnappings, and attacks in the 1960s and ‘70s — acts that landed Mujica in prison multiple times.

He was even shot six times and tortured during his 14 years in jail, much of which was spent in solitary confinement.

His sanity nearly crumbled. “I talked to the ants,” he once recalled.

Despite such darkness, Mujica emerged from captivity when democracy returned to Uruguay in 1985.

For him, that moment of freedom outshined even his election as president years later.

“Becoming president was nothing compared to that day,” he said.

Once in office, Mujica became a sensation. While other Latin American leaders built cults of personality, Mujica stood out with policies that included legalizing marijuana, same-sex marriage, and abortion.

The economy boomed during his tenure, poverty dropped, and unemployment stayed low — but critics pointed to rising public spending and a stagnant education system.

Even so, his approval ratings soared. He became a global media darling — the anti-politician the world didn’t know it needed.

His philosophical jabs at materialism resonated with millions. “They call me the poorest president — I’m not poor,” he said. “Poor are those who always want more.”

After stepping down, Mujica stayed active in public life until his retirement from politics in 2020. Still, he remained a moral compass for Uruguay’s left and an elder statesman abroad.

His protégé Yamandú Orsi carried the torch, winning the presidency in 2024 in a landslide that reflected Mujica’s enduring influence.

In his final interview with the BBC last November, Mujica spoke candidly about death. “It’s inevitable,” he said. “Maybe it’s the salt of life.”

The salt of life, indeed. José “Pepe” Mujica — rebel, farmer, philosopher, president — leaves behind a legacy that proves greatness doesn’t need gold.