José “Pepe” Mujica, former president of Uruguay and a globally admired figure for his humble lifestyle and progressive reforms, passed away on May 13, 2025, at the age of 89. He died at his home in Rincón del Cerro, Montevideo, following a battle with esophageal cancer that had spread to his liver. His wife, Lucía Topolansky, confirmed that he was under hospice care in his final days.
Mujica served as Uruguay’s president from 2010 to 2015. A former Tupamaro guerrilla who spent nearly 15 years in prison during Uruguay’s military dictatorship, he became a symbol of resilience and moral leadership. His presidency was marked by landmark reforms, including the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage, and recreational marijuana, making Uruguay a trailblazer in Latin American civil liberties .
Known as “the world’s poorest president,” Mujica rejected the presidential palace, choosing instead to live on a modest flower farm with his wife. He donated most of his salary to charity and drove a 1987 Volkswagen Beetle, embodying his philosophy that “poor are those who want more.” His authenticity and plainspoken wisdom earned him admiration worldwide .
Following his death, Uruguay declared three days of national mourning. A state funeral is scheduled for May 14, 2025, to honor his legacy as a champion of justice and equality .