Former Uruguayan President Jose Mujica Dies at 89, Remembered for Humility and Progressive Legacy
- Victor Nwoko
- May 13
- 4 min read
Jose "Pepe" Mujica, the former guerrilla fighter turned beloved president of Uruguay, has died at the age of 89. Widely admired for his humility, progressive policies, and unorthodox style of leadership, Mujica left an indelible mark on Uruguay's political landscape and global image.
President Yamandú Orsi announced Mujica’s death, honoring him as a comrade and a symbol of deep love for the people of Uruguay. Mujica, who led the country from 2010 to 2015, steered a leftist government that ushered in groundbreaking reforms. His presidency was notable for its legalization of same-sex marriage, abortion in early pregnancy, and a world-first move to legalize marijuana sales under state regulation.
Mujica famously rejected the privileges of office, choosing not to live in the presidential residence. Instead, he remained in his modest home on a flower farm in a Montevideo suburb. He drove an aging Volkswagen Beetle, wore casual clothes, and often dined in local restaurants with everyday citizens.
In a 2024 interview from the tin-roofed house he shared with his wife, former senator and fellow ex-rebel Lucía Topolansky, Mujica spoke candidly about his life. He described his preference for working on a tractor over driving a car, finding joy and reflection in the task. He kept his old Beetle, calling it "phenomenal," but said the tractor was “more entertaining.”
Mujica’s presidency was marked by his unfiltered public remarks, which at times sparked political backlash. Yet his authenticity and empathy endeared him to the public. "The problem is that the world is run by old people, who forget what they were like when they were young," he once said.
He took office at age 74, winning 52% of the vote despite concerns over his age and his past as a leader of the Tupamaros, a Marxist urban guerrilla group active during the 1960s and 70s. During that period, Mujica was involved in armed actions, was shot six times, and spent nearly 15 years in prison, including long stretches in solitary confinement under the country’s military dictatorship.
Following his release in 1985, Mujica reentered politics, becoming a leading figure in Uruguay’s left-wing coalition. He served as agriculture minister under President Tabaré Vázquez and succeeded him as president in 2010. Vázquez later returned to the presidency in 2015.
Despite his revolutionary roots, Mujica maintained dialogue with political opponents. He hosted traditional asados—Uruguayan barbecues—with members of the center-right, emphasizing consensus over confrontation. “We can't pretend to agree on everything. We have to agree with what there is, not with what we like,” he said.
He believed drug addiction should be treated as a health issue and that legalization, with state control, could weaken narcotrafficking. “I do not defend drug use,” he said. “But I can't defend a ban either, because now we have two problems: addiction and drug trafficking.”
After leaving office, Mujica and Topolansky remained politically engaged. They attended presidential inaugurations across Latin America and supported progressive candidates at home, including President Orsi, who assumed office in March 2025. While they stopped growing flowers, they continued cultivating vegetables on their property, with Topolansky famously pickling their homegrown tomatoes.
Born in 1935—though he claimed it was actually 1934—Mujica often described his childhood as one of “dignified poverty.” His father died when he was a child, and he helped his mother maintain their small farm. His entry into politics began in a progressive wing of the National Party before joining the Tupamaros.
He endured extreme hardships during his years as a political prisoner, including long stints confined at the bottom of a horse trough with only ants for company. He escaped twice, once through a tunnel into a neighboring house. As he neared 90, he joked that his biggest vice was talking to himself, a habit developed during his isolation.
Even in retirement, Mujica remained hopeful. Following a cancer diagnosis, he said, “Life is beautiful, but it wears out and you fall. The point is to start over every time you fall, and if there is anger, transform it into hope.”
Jose Mujica is remembered not just as a leader, but as a symbol of resilience, simplicity, and compassion—an enduring example of integrity in political life.
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