Yet there is a political leader in the world who has refused to stay in the Presidential Palace, the presidential limousine, 90% of his salary, the guards and many other privileges. All this, not because he was rich, but because he didn’t need them!
Jose Mujica, the poorest leader in the world, has managed to win the respect of all and set an example to follow!
José Alberto Mujica Cordano (also known as El Pepe) was born on May 20, 1935 and served as President of Uruguay from 2010 to 2015.
As president, he became known for his extremely humble lifestyle, his past as a rebel, and his progressive policies.
He has been described as “the world’s humblest leader” because of his modest lifestyle and the fact that he donated about 90% of his monthly salary as President to the poor. Mujica has made major changes in the country, such as: legalizing abortion and gay marriage, decriminalizing cannabis, redistributing wealth and raising the minimum wage by 250%. Under his rule, the unemployment rate dropped from 13% to 7% and the poverty rate from 40% to 11%.
He lives with his wife on a farm on the outskirts of Montevideo where they grow chrysanthemums.
