José Mujica

ABOUT JOSé MUJICA

Uruguayan politician who became the 40th President of Uruguay in 2010. Prior to winning the Presidency, he worked as the Minister of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries until 2008.

He was a guerrilla leader who was a part of the Tupamaros movement that led the 1969 brief takeover of Pando, a town close to Montevideo.

He has often been labeled the world's "poorest President," since he donates around 90% of his 12,000/month salary to different charities. He was known for his progressive policies, which included decriminalizing abortion, legalizing gay marriage, and decriminalizing drugs.

He was married to his wife, Lucía Topolansky, in 2005 until his passing in May 2025.

He was both preceded and succeeded as President of Uruguay by Tabaré Vazquez .