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Uruguay’s poorest president says he refused his pension because he thought it was superfluous
Jose Mujica He is an amazing person who served as President of Uruguay from 2010 to 2015. He has been called the poorest president in the world. Although the politician, despite his unusually modest lifestyle, never thought so.
Today's edition. "Site" He offers to talk about the life and beliefs of this unusual politician, whom Uruguayans fondly called “El Pepe” (translated as “father”).
As president, he lived very simply, driving an old car, living in a tiny house on the edge of Montevideo (the capital of Uruguay), and giving 90% of his presidential salary to those in need.
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Jose Mujica Alberto Mujica was born in Montevideo in 1935 in a family of poor immigrants from Italy. At the age of 7, Jose was left without a father, so the guy had to grow up quickly. From an early age, he became interested in social and political activities. At 25, inspired by the Cuban Revolution, he joined the Tupamaros movement.
GettyImages Essentially, it was a guerrilla unit that attacked the rich and gave the gains to the poor. Jose Mujica himself participated in many violent clashes. Later, many scars remained on his body, as a reminder of those difficult times.
The future politician was imprisoned several times, where he spent a total of 14 years. He escaped several times. Two of these fourteen years were spent in complete isolation at the bottom of the well. According to Jose himself, then he had to talk to frogs, not to lose his mind.
When Uruguay chose a democratic path of development, Jose Mujica was released in 1985 and immediately entered politics. He was first a member of parliament, then a senator. He later became Minister of Cattle, Agriculture and Fisheries. In 2010 he was elected President of Uruguay.
GettyImages' Jose Mujica admitted that his years in prison helped him rethink his views. If in his youth he wanted, like Robin Hood, to change the world by force of arms, he later realized that other methods must be found to eradicate poverty and social inequality. The newly elected president decided to start with himself.
The first thing Jose Mujica said was that a tenth of the presidential monthly salary of $12,500 was enough for him. In fact, he donated 90 percent of that money every month to social welfare and charity.
Mujica refused to move to the presidential residence. He chose to live in his wife’s old house on the outskirts of the capital. He drove an old 1987 Volkswagen Beetle to work. Jose Mujica left only two policemen for his personal security. And for official events had only one suit in the closet.
GettyImages Results for President Such restraint in spending seemed surprising. But even more surprising was the performance of Jose Mujica as president. Under his leadership, over 5 years, unemployment has halved, civil rights have expanded, the number of crimes has decreased, GDP has grown annually (today more than 24 thousand dollars per person). Uruguay has become the safest and least corrupt country in Latin America.
Jose Mujica also introduced liberal reforms. He legalized abortion and allowed same-sex marriage. Although El Pepe himself does not agree that he held liberal views. He claims that he was simply guided by the care of his fellow citizens and followed common sense.
GettyImages resigned from the presidency of Jose Mujica in 2015 (the fact is that under Uruguayan law, re-election for a second term is unacceptable). By law, he could remain a senator for another 5 years, participate in political life and receive a solid salary. El Pepe, however, gave up such privileges.
The former president preferred a quiet life with his wife in an old house with a garden. They eat what they grow in their own garden. They sell flowers. And when health fails, they go to the local clinic, where, along with other local residents, they wait for their turn to see a doctor.
GettyImages "I'm living wonderfully with what I have," says Jose Mujica, 85. He disagreed with those who called him the country’s poorest leader.
“I am frugal and moderate, but far from poor and never poor. Moderate living is a true philosophy. But poor is the one who simply works for the sake of an expensive lifestyle, without leaving himself time for life itself, El Pepe said.
Photo in article
Today's edition. "Site" He offers to talk about the life and beliefs of this unusual politician, whom Uruguayans fondly called “El Pepe” (translated as “father”).
As president, he lived very simply, driving an old car, living in a tiny house on the edge of Montevideo (the capital of Uruguay), and giving 90% of his presidential salary to those in need.
516494
Jose Mujica Alberto Mujica was born in Montevideo in 1935 in a family of poor immigrants from Italy. At the age of 7, Jose was left without a father, so the guy had to grow up quickly. From an early age, he became interested in social and political activities. At 25, inspired by the Cuban Revolution, he joined the Tupamaros movement.
GettyImages Essentially, it was a guerrilla unit that attacked the rich and gave the gains to the poor. Jose Mujica himself participated in many violent clashes. Later, many scars remained on his body, as a reminder of those difficult times.
The future politician was imprisoned several times, where he spent a total of 14 years. He escaped several times. Two of these fourteen years were spent in complete isolation at the bottom of the well. According to Jose himself, then he had to talk to frogs, not to lose his mind.
When Uruguay chose a democratic path of development, Jose Mujica was released in 1985 and immediately entered politics. He was first a member of parliament, then a senator. He later became Minister of Cattle, Agriculture and Fisheries. In 2010 he was elected President of Uruguay.
GettyImages' Jose Mujica admitted that his years in prison helped him rethink his views. If in his youth he wanted, like Robin Hood, to change the world by force of arms, he later realized that other methods must be found to eradicate poverty and social inequality. The newly elected president decided to start with himself.
The first thing Jose Mujica said was that a tenth of the presidential monthly salary of $12,500 was enough for him. In fact, he donated 90 percent of that money every month to social welfare and charity.
Mujica refused to move to the presidential residence. He chose to live in his wife’s old house on the outskirts of the capital. He drove an old 1987 Volkswagen Beetle to work. Jose Mujica left only two policemen for his personal security. And for official events had only one suit in the closet.
GettyImages Results for President Such restraint in spending seemed surprising. But even more surprising was the performance of Jose Mujica as president. Under his leadership, over 5 years, unemployment has halved, civil rights have expanded, the number of crimes has decreased, GDP has grown annually (today more than 24 thousand dollars per person). Uruguay has become the safest and least corrupt country in Latin America.
Jose Mujica also introduced liberal reforms. He legalized abortion and allowed same-sex marriage. Although El Pepe himself does not agree that he held liberal views. He claims that he was simply guided by the care of his fellow citizens and followed common sense.
GettyImages resigned from the presidency of Jose Mujica in 2015 (the fact is that under Uruguayan law, re-election for a second term is unacceptable). By law, he could remain a senator for another 5 years, participate in political life and receive a solid salary. El Pepe, however, gave up such privileges.
The former president preferred a quiet life with his wife in an old house with a garden. They eat what they grow in their own garden. They sell flowers. And when health fails, they go to the local clinic, where, along with other local residents, they wait for their turn to see a doctor.
GettyImages "I'm living wonderfully with what I have," says Jose Mujica, 85. He disagreed with those who called him the country’s poorest leader.
“I am frugal and moderate, but far from poor and never poor. Moderate living is a true philosophy. But poor is the one who simply works for the sake of an expensive lifestyle, without leaving himself time for life itself, El Pepe said.
Photo in article
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