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Economic Times
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Latin America mourns world's 'poorest president' Mujica, dead at 89
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Tributes poured in from across Latin America on Tuesday following the death of Uruguay 's former president Jose "Pepe" Mujica, an ex-guerrilla fighter revered by the left for his humility and progressive iconic 89-year-old -- who spent a dozen years behind bars for revolutionary activity -- lost his battle against cancer after announcing in January that the disease had spread and he would stop treatment."With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica . President, activist, guide and leader. We will miss you greatly, old friend," Uruguay's current president, Yamandu Orsi, posted on X."Pepe, eternal!" a cyclist shouted out minutes later, while passing government earned the moniker " world's poorest president " during his 2010-2015 presidency for giving away much of his salary to charity and living a simple life on his farm, with his fellow ex-guerrilla wife and three-legged government announced three days of national mourning and said his body would be taken to the legislative palace on Wednesday to lie in from Mujica's Movement of Popular Participation (MPP) gathered outside the party's headquarters to make giant banners marked "Hasta siempre, viejo querido" (Until forever, old friend).Leftist leaders from across Latin America and Europe paid tribute to the man described by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as an "example for Latin America and the entire world."Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva echoed that message."His human greatness transcended the borders of Uruguay and his presidential mandate. The wisdom of his words formed a true song of unity and fraternity for Latin America," Lula said in a the Madison, an unassuming corner cafe in central Montevideo, waiter Walter Larus recalled Mujica popping in for a steak shortly after winning office."He felt and lived like ordinary people, not like today's politicians who seem rich," the 53-year-old waiter a 2012 AFP interview, Mujica denied being poor, saying his was, rather, a life of "austerity.""I need little to live," he transformed Uruguay, a prosperous country of 3.4 million people best known for football and ranching, into one of Latin America's most progressive later life, he was disappointed at the authoritarian drift of some left-wing governments, accusing repressive leaders in Venezuela and Nicaragua of "messing things up."He was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus in May last year, and it spread to his wife Lucia Topolansky said this week he was receiving palliative the course of five years in power, Mujica legalized abortion and gay marriage and made Uruguay the first country to legalize the use of recreational continued to campaign for the left after his cancer diagnosis, working fervently on the successful election campaign of history teacher Orsi, his political Bolivian president Evo Morales hailed his "experience and wisdom," while Brazil's government bid farewell to "one of the most important humanists of our time."Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Mujica had lived for "a better world," while Guatemala's Bernardo Arevalo held him up as "an example of humility and greatness."The blunt-spoken, snowy-haired farmer was a fierce critic of attended official events in sandals and continued living on his small holding on the outskirts of Montevideo, where his prized possession was a 1987 Volkswagen the 1960s, he co-founded the Marxist-Leninist urban guerrilla movement Tupamaros, which started out robbing from the rich to give to the poor but later escalated its campaign to kidnappings, bombings and those years, Mujica lived a life of derring-do. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and took part in a mass prison when the Tupamaros collapsed in 1972, he was recaptured and spent all of Uruguay's 1973-1985 dictatorship in prison, where he was tortured and spent years in solitary his release, he threw himself into politics and in 1989 founded the MPP, the largest member of the leftist Broad Front to congress in 1995, he became a senator in 2000 and then agriculture minister in Uruguay's first-ever left-wing president, he was praised for his fight against poverty but criticized for failing to rein in public is survived by his wife Topolansky. They had no asked to be buried on his farm, next to his dog.
eNCA
14-05-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Latin America mourns world's 'poorest president' Mujica, dead at 89
MONTEVIDEO - Tributes poured in from across Latin America following the death of Uruguay's former president Jose "Pepe" Mujica, an ex-guerrilla fighter revered by the left for his humility and progressive politics. The iconic 89-year-old -- who spent a dozen years behind bars for revolutionary activity -- lost his battle against cancer after announcing in January that the disease had spread and he would stop treatment. "With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica. President, activist, guide and leader. We will miss you greatly, old friend," Uruguay's current president, Yamandu Orsi, posted on X. "Pepe, eternal!" a cyclist shouted out minutes later, while passing government buildings. Mujica earned the moniker "world's poorest president" during his 2010-2015 presidency for giving away much of his salary to charity and living a simple life on his farm, with his fellow ex-guerrilla wife and three-legged dog. The government announced three days of national mourning and said his body would be taken to the legislative palace on Wednesday to lie in state. AFP | DANTE FERNANDEZ Activists from Mujica's Movement of Popular Participation (MPP) gathered outside the party's headquarters to make giant banners marked "Hasta siempre, viejo querido" (Until forever, old friend). Leftist leaders from across Latin America and Europe paid tribute to the man described by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as an "example for Latin America and the entire world." At the Madison, an unassuming corner cafe in central Montevideo, waiter Walter Larus recalled Mujica popping in for a steak shortly after winning office. "He felt and lived like ordinary people, not like today's politicians who seem rich," the 53-year-old waiter said. In a 2012 AFP interview, Mujica denied being poor, saying his was, rather, a life of "austerity." "I need little to live," he said. He transformed Uruguay, a prosperous country of 3.4 million people best known for football and ranching, into one of Latin America's most progressive societies. In later life, he was disappointed at the authoritarian drift of some left-wing governments, accusing repressive leaders in Venezuela and Nicaragua of "messing things up." He was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in May last year, and it spread to his liver. His wife Lucia Topolansky said this week he was receiving palliative care. - 'Humility and greatness' - Over the course of five years in power, Mujica legalised abortion and gay marriage and made Uruguay the first country to legalise the use of recreational cannabis. AFP | DANTE FERNANDEZ He continued to campaign for the left after his cancer diagnosis, working fervently on the successful election campaign of history teacher Orsi, his political heir. Former Bolivian president Evo Morales hailed his "experience and wisdom," while Brazil's government bid farewell to "one of the most important humanists of our time." Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Mujica had lived for "a better world," while Guatemala's Bernardo Arevalo held him up as "an example of humility and greatness." - From prison to politics - The blunt-spoken, snowy-haired farmer was a fierce critic of consumerism. He attended official events in sandals and continued living on his small holding on the outskirts of Montevideo, where his prized possession was a 1987 Volkswagen Beetle. In the 1960s, he co-founded the Marxist-Leninist urban guerrilla movement Tupamaros, which started out robbing from the rich to give to the poor but later escalated its campaign to kidnappings, bombings and assassinations. During those years, Mujica lived a life of derring-do. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and took part in a mass prison breakout. But when the Tupamaros collapsed in 1972, he was recaptured and spent all of Uruguay's 1973-1985 dictatorship in prison, where he was tortured and spent years in solitary confinement. After his release, he threw himself into politics and in 1989 founded the MPP, the largest member of the leftist Broad Front coalition. Elected to Congress in 1995, he became a senator in 2000 and then agriculture minister in Uruguay's first-ever left-wing government. As president, he was praised for his fight against poverty but criticised for failing to rein in public spending. He is survived by his wife, Topolansky. They had no children. Mujica asked to be buried on his farm, next to his dog.
Eyewitness News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Latin America mourns world's 'poorest president' Mujica, dead at 89
MONTEVIDEO - Tributes poured in from across Latin America on Tuesday following the death of Uruguay's former president Jose "Pepe" Mujica, an ex-guerrilla fighter revered by the left for his humility and progressive politics. The iconic 89-year-old -- who spent a dozen years behind bars for revolutionary activity -- lost his battle against cancer after announcing in January that the disease had spread and he would stop treatment. "With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica. President, activist, guide and leader. We will miss you greatly, old friend," Uruguay's current president, Yamandu Orsi, posted on X. "Pepe, eternal!" a cyclist shouted out minutes later, while passing government buildings. Mujica earned the moniker "world's poorest president" during his 2010-2015 presidency for giving away much of his salary to charity and living a simple life on his farm, with his fellow ex-guerrilla wife and three-legged dog. The government announced three days of national mourning and said his body would be taken to the legislative palace on Wednesday to lie in state. Activists from Mujica's Movement of Popular Participation (MPP) gathered outside the party's headquarters to make giant banners marked "Hasta siempre, viejo querido" (Until forever, old friend). Leftist leaders from across Latin America and Europe paid tribute to the man described by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as an "example for Latin America and the entire world." Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva echoed that message. "His human greatness transcended the borders of Uruguay and his presidential mandate. The wisdom of his words formed a true song of unity and fraternity for Latin America," Lula said in a statement. 'LIKE ORDINARY PEOPLE' At the Madison, an unassuming corner cafe in central Montevideo, waiter Walter Larus recalled Mujica popping in for a steak shortly after winning office. "He felt and lived like ordinary people, not like today's politicians who seem rich," the 53-year-old waiter said. In a 2012 AFP interview, Mujica denied being poor, saying his was, rather, a life of "austerity." "I need little to live," he said. He transformed Uruguay, a prosperous country of 3.4 million people best known for football and ranching, into one of Latin America's most progressive societies. In later life, he was disappointed at the authoritarian drift of some left-wing governments, accusing repressive leaders in Venezuela and Nicaragua of "messing things up." He was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus in May last year, and it spread to his liver. His wife Lucia Topolansky said this week he was receiving palliative care. 'HUMILITY AND GREATNESS' Over the course of five years in power, Mujica legalized abortion and gay marriage and made Uruguay the first country to legalize the use of recreational cannabis. He continued to campaign for the left after his cancer diagnosis, working fervently on the successful election campaign of history teacher Orsi, his political heir. Former Bolivian president Evo Morales hailed his "experience and wisdom," while Brazil's government bid farewell to "one of the most important humanists of our time." Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Mujica had lived for "a better world," while Guatemala's Bernardo Arevalo held him up as "an example of humility and greatness." FROM PRISON TO POLITICS The blunt-spoken, snowy-haired farmer was a fierce critic of consumerism. He attended official events in sandals and continued living on his small holding on the outskirts of Montevideo, where his prized possession was a 1987 Volkswagen Beetle. In the 1960s, he co-founded the Marxist-Leninist urban guerrilla movement Tupamaros, which started out robbing from the rich to give to the poor but later escalated its campaign to kidnappings, bombings and assassinations. During those years, Mujica lived a life of derring-do. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and took part in a mass prison breakout. But when the Tupamaros collapsed in 1972, he was recaptured and spent all of Uruguay's 1973-1985 dictatorship in prison, where he was tortured and spent years in solitary confinement. After his release, he threw himself into politics and in 1989 founded the MPP, the largest member of the leftist Broad Front coalition. Elected to congress in 1995, he became a senator in 2000 and then agriculture minister in Uruguay's first-ever left-wing government. As president, he was praised for his fight against poverty but criticized for failing to rein in public spending. He is survived by his wife Topolansky. They had no children. Mujica asked to be buried on his farm, next to his dog.
Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Latin America mourns world's ‘poorest president' Mujica, dead at 89
Uruguay's former president Jose Mujica earned the moniker 'world's poorest president' during his 2010-2015 presidency for giving away much of his salary to charity. PHOTO: AFP MONTEVIDEO - Tributes poured in from across Latin America on May 13 following the death of Uruguay's former president Jose 'Pepe' Mujica, an ex-guerilla fighter revered by the left for his humility and progressive politics. The iconic 89-year-old – who spent a dozen years behind bars for revolutionary activity – lost his battle against cancer after announcing in January that the disease had spread and he would stop treatment. 'With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica. President, activist, guide and leader. We will miss you greatly, old friend,' Uruguay's current president, Mr Yamandu Orsi, posted on X. 'Pepe, eternal!' a cyclist shouted out minutes later, while passing government buildings. Mr Mujica earned the moniker 'world's poorest president' during his 2010-2015 presidency for giving away much of his salary to charity and living a simple life on his farm, with his fellow ex-guerilla wife and three-legged dog. The government announced three days of national mourning and said his body would be taken to the legislative palace on May 14 to lie in state. Activists from Mr Mujica's Movement of Popular Participation (MPP) gathered outside the party's headquarters to make giant banners marked 'Hasta siempre, viejo querido' (Until forever, old friend). A man unfolds a sign honouring late former Uruguayan President Jose Mujica in Montevideo on May 13, 2025. PHOTO: AFP Leftist leaders from across Latin America and Europe paid tribute to the man described by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as an 'example for Latin America and the entire world'. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva echoed that message. 'His human greatness transcended the borders of Uruguay and his presidential mandate. The wisdom of his words formed a true song of unity and fraternity for Latin America,' Mr Lula said in a statement. 'Like ordinary people' At the Madison, an unassuming corner cafe in central Montevideo, waiter Walter Larus recalled Mr Mujica popping in for a steak shortly after winning office. 'He felt and lived like ordinary people, not like today's politicians who seem rich,' the 53-year-old waiter said. In a 2012 AFP interview, Mr Mujica denied being poor, saying his was, rather, a life of 'austerity'. 'I need little to live,' he said. Former guerilla leader Jose Mujica in his flower farm, in Montevideo, Uruguay, on June 8, 1999. PHOTO: REUTERS He transformed Uruguay, a prosperous country of 3.4 million people best known for football and ranching, into one of Latin America's most progressive societies. In later life, he was disappointed at the authoritarian drift of some left-wing governments, accusing repressive leaders in Venezuela and Nicaragua of 'messing things up'. He was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus in May 2024 , and it spread to his liver. His wife Lucia Topolansky said this week he was receiving palliative care. 'Humility and greatness' Over the course of five years in power, Mr Mujica legalised abortion and gay marriage and made Uruguay the first country to legalise the use of recreational cannabis. He continued to campaign for the left after his cancer diagnosis, working fervently on the successful election campaign of history teacher Orsi, his political heir. Former Bolivian president Evo Morales hailed his 'experience and wisdom', while Brazil's government bid farewell to 'one of the most important humanists of our time'. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Mr Mujica had lived for 'a better world', while Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo held him up as 'an example of humility and greatness'. People gather outside the Movimiento de Participacion Popular party headquarters, following the death of Uruguay's former President Jose 'Pepe' Mujica at the age of 89, in Montevideo, Uruguay, on May 13. PHOTO: REUTERS From prison to politics The blunt-spoken, snowy-haired farmer was a fierce critic of consumerism. He attended official events in sandals and continued living on his small holding on the outskirts of Montevideo, where his prized possession was a 1987 Volkswagen Beetle. In the 1960s, he co-founded the Marxist-Leninist urban guerilla movement Tupamaros, which started out robbing from the rich to give to the poor but later escalated its campaign to kidnappings, bombings and assassinations. During those years, Mr Mujica lived a life of derring-do. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and took part in a mass prison breakout. But when the Tupamaros collapsed in 1972, he was recaptured and spent all of Uruguay's 1973-1985 dictatorship in prison, where he was tortured and spent years in solitary confinement. After his release, he threw himself into politics and in 1989 founded the MPP, the largest member of the leftist Broad Front coalition. Elected to congress in 1995, he became a senator in 2000 and then agriculture minister in Uruguay's first left-wing government. As president, he was praised for his fight against poverty but criticised for failing to rein in public spending. He is survived by his wife Topolansky. They had no children. Mr Mujica asked to be buried on his farm, next to his dog. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
NDTV
14-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Jose Mujica: All About World's 'Poorest President' Who Died At 89
Former Uruguayan President Jose Mujica, often called the "world's poorest president" for his humble lifestyle, died at 89. The leftist icon, known for his humility and progressive politics, died after a battle with cancer. Uruguay's current President Yamandu Orsi confirmed Mujica's death on X, writing, "It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica. President, activist, leader and guide. We will miss you very much, dear old man. Thank you for everything you gave us and for your profound love for your people." Con profundo dolor comunicamos que falleció nuestro compañero Pepe Mujica. Presidente, militante, referente y conductor. Te vamos a extrañar mucho Viejo querido. Gracias por todo lo que nos diste y por tu profundo amor por tu pueblo. — Yamandú Orsi (@OrsiYamandu) May 13, 2025 Mujica had revealed in 2024 that he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, which later spread to his liver. He chose to stop treatment earlier this year and spent his final days on his farm, where he lived throughout his presidency. Guerrilla Fighter Turned President Mujica's journey from insurgent to president was nothing short of extraordinary. Inspired by the Cuban Revolution, he became a key figure in the Tupamaros, a leftist guerrilla group that launched an armed rebellion in the 1960s and 70s. During Uruguay's military dictatorship, he was captured and spent nearly 15 years in prison, much of it in solitary confinement. In a 2020 interview, Mujica described the brutal conditions he endured: "Being tied up with wire with my hands behind my back for six months... going two years without being taken to the bathroom." He was released after democracy was restored in 1985, and later co-founded the Movement of Popular Participation (MPP), under which he won seats in the legislature. He became Uruguay's president in 2010 after securing over 50% of the vote. A Humble Leader With Big Reforms During his 2010-2015 presidency, Mujica steered Uruguay through economic growth and pushed through some of Latin America's most progressive reforms. Under his leadership, Uruguay legalised abortion, same-sex marriage, and became the first country in the world to legalise recreational cannabis. But Mujica's popularity went far beyond politics. He became a global symbol of simplicity and integrity, famously refusing to live in the presidential palace and instead staying at his ramshackle farmhouse with his wife, growing vegetables and donating most of his salary to charity. He rejected the "world's poorest president" label, saying: "I'm not a poor president; poor is someone who needs a lot. I'm a sober president. I need little to live, because I live the way I lived long before I became president." Final Days In April 2024, Mujica disclosed his cancer diagnosis. By early 2025, the illness had advanced, and he told a local news outlet, Busqueda, "I'm doomed, brother. This is as far as I go." He declined further treatment and chose to spend his remaining days in peace.
