Jose Mujica, the former president of Uruguay and a global symbol of humility and principled leadership, has died at the age of 89.
Known affectionately as “Pepe,” Mujica’s journey from armed guerrilla to head of state remains one of Latin America’s most remarkable political stories.
Born in 1935—though he insisted it was actually 1934—Mujica grew up in modest conditions. He joined the Tupamaros, a Marxist urban guerrilla group, in the 1960s, fighting against inequality and authoritarianism.
Arrested multiple times, Mujica spent nearly 15 years in prison, much of it in solitary confinement under brutal conditions. He famously escaped twice and endured years of isolation that he later said taught him how to live with himself.
After democracy was restored in 1985, Mujica re-entered politics with the left-wing Broad Front coalition. He served as agriculture minister before being elected president in 2009, taking office in 2010 at age 74.
During his 2010–2015 presidency, Mujica gained international admiration for his unpretentious lifestyle. He donated most of his salary to charity, drove a beat-up VW Beetle, and refused to move into the presidential palace. His home, a small farm on the outskirts of Montevideo, remained his sanctuary.
Mujica enacted bold and progressive reforms, legalizing same-sex marriage, abortion in early pregnancy, and state-regulated marijuana—policies that were groundbreaking for conservative Latin America. He defended these moves not as ideological acts but as pragmatic solutions to real social problems.
Despite occasional controversy over his blunt remarks and casual demeanor, Mujica was widely respected across the political spectrum. He was known to invite both allies and critics to his home for barbecues, urging dialogue over division. “We can’t pretend to agree on everything,” he once said. “We have to agree with what there is, not with what we like.”
In retirement, he remained politically active and philosophically reflective, often speaking to young people about life’s challenges. Diagnosed with cancer in his final years, Mujica remained characteristically stoic and hopeful.
“Life is beautiful, but it wears out,” he told Reuters in 2024. “The point is to start over every time you fall, and if there is anger, transform it into hope.”
Mujica is survived by his wife, Lucia Topolansky, a former senator and fellow ex-Tupamaro. Uruguay—and the world—loses not just a leader, but a moral compass.
