Former Uruguayan President José Mujica has died at the age of 89.
He was known for his modest lifestyle and was often described as “the poorest president in the world.”
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our friend Pepe Mujica,” Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi said on social media.
According to Orsi, Mujica was not only a president but also an activist, an exemplary citizen, and a leader. “He taught with his life what it means to serve the people.”
José Mujica was born on May 20, 1935 in Montevideo. He was elected President of Uruguay in 2009 and served until 2015.
In his youth, in the 1960s and 1970s, Mujica participated in the left-wing radical movement “Tupamaros,” influenced by the Cuban Revolution, and fought against the authorities using guerrilla methods.
He was wounded six times and spent a total of 14 years in prison, including many years in solitary confinement. He was released in 1985 after the restoration of democracy in Uruguay.
In January 2024, Mujica publicly announced that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer, which had already spread to other organs. He announced that he was refusing treatment and said goodbye to his people.
Mujica died just days before celebrating his 90th birthday.
