Uruguay’s former President Jose Mujica often dubbed as the poorest president that the world has ever seen once said that I may be known as the poorest of all but the reality is that I am not poor in the truest sense of the word.
He said that the real poor person is one who keeps hankering for power and prosperity especially monetary gains all through their life.
Jose Mujica’s story is especially relevant given that India is has just seen a Presidential election.
Jose, a farmer above all, chose to dedicate his life to farming and part with all his profit, despite facing the wrath of poverty. Steadily working towards his aim he steered Uruguay to greater heights. Whatever he earns out of flower cultivation he donates to those in need.
Uruguay is a small place situated in the South Eastern part of South America. 82 year old, Jose Mujica was the 40th President. It was in March 2015 when he quit his stint as President saying that he wants to spend time with his handicapped friendly pet Manual and Beetle car.
Mujica may have changed the fortunes of Uruguay in a span of five years but sadly his fortunes dwindled but he continues to live simple.
Many a President takes great pride in VIP treatment but Jose has never taken the privileges of being a supposed VIP.
He has lived a life of utmost sacrifice living in a two room home as a head of state having only two police personnel to his beck and call.
Mujica does everything including washing dirty linen and filling water single handedly. His flower cultivation work god willing went on well with some help from his better half.
A simple living individual used to drive to office without help from any helper. He used to drive to his workspace in his prized Beetle.
Every month Jose Mujica used to get 13,300 dollar. Of which he used to give away 12000 dollars to the poor. Meanwhile of the remaining 1300 dollar a sum of 775 dollars is given to small traders.
In Uruguay per month per individual average income is Rs 50,000.
Historically he has faced bullets on himself nearly six times. It was in the 1960s and 70s that he came up as a major guerilla warfare force Tupamaros, a leftist armed group inspired by the Cuban revolution.. He has spent 14 years in jail as well.
Most of his detention was spent in harsh conditions and isolation, until he was freed in 1985 when Uruguay returned to democracy.
In 2010, his annual personal wealth declaration – mandatory for officials in Uruguay – was $1,800 (£1,100), the value of his 1987 Volkswagen Beetle.
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