José Mujica Biography

José Alberto "Pepe" Mujica Cordano was born on May 20, 1935, in Montevideo, Uruguay. His father, Demetrio Mujica, was a Basque and his mother, Lucy Cordano, a descendent of Italian immigrants.

Jose was married to Lucia Topolansky. They had no children. The humble politician was known for his simple lifestyle and donated 90% of his Presidential salary to the needy. He had also refused to live in the presidential palace, preferring his humble farm instead.

In April 2024, José Mujica publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer, which had been detected during a routine physical examination. By January 2025, he disclosed in an interview with Búsqueda that the cancer had metastasized to his liver and acknowledged that he was nearing the end of his life. He further stated that he had chosen to discontinue medical treatment.

On May 12, 2025, his wife, Lucía Topolansky, confirmed that Mujica was in a terminal stage and had been placed under hospice care. He passed away the following day, on May 13, 2025, just one week before his 90th birthday, at his farmhouse in Rincón del Cerro, on the outskirts of Montevideo.

José Mujica, the former President of Uruguay, was known for his humble lifestyle despite holding a powerful political position. He lived on a modest farm rather than in the presidential palace and donated much of his salary to charity.

Mujica was also recognized for his progressive policies, including the legalization of same-sex marriage and marijuana. He was seen as a trailblazer in promoting social equality and individual freedoms.

In addition to his political career, Mujica was a published author and had written several books on topics such as politics, philosophy, and personal reflections.

Mujica was often referred to as the "world's humblest president" due to his down-to-earth demeanor and simple way of living. He was admired for his authenticity and commitment to serving the people of Uruguay.