“I’m not the poorest president in the world.” The poorest are those who need the most to survive. My way of life is a result of my wounds. I am the son of my ancestors. There have been times when I would have been content with only a mattress.” This is one of the most famous phrases from Uruguay’s most modest former president, Jose Mujica, who served as President from 2010 to 2015.
Mujica is well-known for his charity acts and readiness to contribute 90% of his $12,000 monthly income to aid the underprivileged and small businesses. Despite holding the highest position in the nation, Mujica and his wife had a fairly modest life in comparison to other global leaders throughout his rule. He still drives his ancient Volkswagen Beetle and lives in a little farmhouse. Only two police men and a three-legged dog protect his official house.
The elegant and opulent Presidential House, which served as the official house of Uruguay’s prior presidents, is now a museum. Mujica converted the Presidential Residence into a museum honoring prior presidents after deciding to live in his own house. Mujica, unlike other Presidents and foreign leaders, is often chastised for his lack of regard for his looks and posture.
Despite this, Mujica does not get sidetracked by the accusations and instead concentrates on the country’s more pressing challenges. While many may see Mujica as unqualified for the presidency, he is not simply a random individual who got fortunate in an election. He was a guerrilla warrior with Tupamaros, a left-wing Uruguayan organization. Mujica has looted banks that overcharged the poor, gun clubs, and other enterprises that were discovered to be crooked and engaged in embezzling public monies during his tenure in Tupamaros.
He’s been imprisoned twice in 14 years and shot six times during a jailbreak attempt, but that hasn’t stopped him. As the President of Uruguay, he continued to battle corruption.
What matters most to him are the people, and the country’s well-being is his main focus. He understands that power and money will only foster corruption if they become the only motivators, as he said, “Power does not transform one’s person; it just reveals one’s actual personality.”
Mujica has clearly shown that his best interests are always the people of his nation, even prepared to forego privileges that came with the post while he was Uruguay’s President. Few leaders can be compared to Mujica, who is unquestionably one in a million. Perhaps international leaders might learn a thing or two from Mujica about putting the public good ahead of personal gain. If you respect this president’s courage and values, please share this article with your friends and family!