Meet José Mujica: The World’s ‘Poorest’ President [Video]
Most especially in a country like Nigeria, it is almost impossible to find someone in a position of monetary privilege who doesn’t live a lifestyle to match. Uruguay’s president, José Mujica who was elected in a landslide victory taking office in 2010 defies that society norm.
Mujica who earns the equivalent of US $12,000/month, shunned the Presidential Mansion to continue to live in his modest house on a dirt road in a rural area outside Montevideo.
He chooses to have a simple lifestyle, he says, so he has time to live how he wants to live.
More impressive is the fact that he donates around 90% of his monthly salary to causes that benefit the poor, and small scale entrepreneurs. This brings the amount he lives on, approximately $800/month, to that of the average Uruguayan’s.
While that may be modest, he doesn’t feel poor. Mujica believes it’s not what one has, but having an endless craving more, that makes one poor.
Not acting Presidential enough in some eyes, but an Inspiration to Others Mujica’s past gives clues to why he chooses to live how he does in the present.
He is a former leader of a leftist guerilla group, Tupamaros, that used (admittedly violent) Robin Hood-like strategies on behalf of the poor. His activities with the Tupamaros landed him in prison for 14 years, where he says he spent much time in solitary confinement.
[RELATED: Uruguay Becomes World's First Country to Legalise Marijuana Trade]
While his days of violence are in the past, his leftist leanings live on, and are clearly reflected in the policies he supports today, including same-sex marriage, abortion rights, renewable energy, and legalisation of marijuana.
Not surprisingly, Mujica has his critics, including those who feel he doesn’t "act presidential". But, as one Uruguayan acknowledges, Mujica is someone the common people can identify with. And I can’t help feel he is demonstrating the best type of leadership of all: living through example, with choices that reflect an understanding that a simpler life is better for the Earth, for the larger human community, and doesn’t have to equal a sense of deprivation.
BBC News interviewed José Mujica at his residence. Find the video below:
Mujica who earns the equivalent of US $12,000/month, shunned the Presidential Mansion to continue to live in his modest house on a dirt road in a rural area outside Montevideo.
He chooses to have a simple lifestyle, he says, so he has time to live how he wants to live.
More impressive is the fact that he donates around 90% of his monthly salary to causes that benefit the poor, and small scale entrepreneurs. This brings the amount he lives on, approximately $800/month, to that of the average Uruguayan’s.
While that may be modest, he doesn’t feel poor. Mujica believes it’s not what one has, but having an endless craving more, that makes one poor.
Not acting Presidential enough in some eyes, but an Inspiration to Others Mujica’s past gives clues to why he chooses to live how he does in the present.
He is a former leader of a leftist guerilla group, Tupamaros, that used (admittedly violent) Robin Hood-like strategies on behalf of the poor. His activities with the Tupamaros landed him in prison for 14 years, where he says he spent much time in solitary confinement.
[RELATED: Uruguay Becomes World's First Country to Legalise Marijuana Trade]
While his days of violence are in the past, his leftist leanings live on, and are clearly reflected in the policies he supports today, including same-sex marriage, abortion rights, renewable energy, and legalisation of marijuana.
Not surprisingly, Mujica has his critics, including those who feel he doesn’t "act presidential". But, as one Uruguayan acknowledges, Mujica is someone the common people can identify with. And I can’t help feel he is demonstrating the best type of leadership of all: living through example, with choices that reflect an understanding that a simpler life is better for the Earth, for the larger human community, and doesn’t have to equal a sense of deprivation.
BBC News interviewed José Mujica at his residence. Find the video below:
Meet José Mujica: The World’s ‘Poorest’ President [Video]
Reviewed by Msl
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Reviewed by Msl
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