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| José Mujica |
“The poor are those who need everyth
ing in excess. Because those who have too much of everything are never satisfied with life. I'm frugal, not poor. I'm a thrifter, a thrifter like a lighted suitcase. Life does not go without it, I am satisfied with it.I don't like luxury life at all. The advantage of my simple lifestyle is that I have plenty of time to work. I can do whatever I like, by myself. I want to live independently and I live that way. Living frugally is a philosophy of life, but I am not poor.” -Jose Mujica (former president of Uruguay).
From this one quote it is understood that how extraordinary
is his meditation concept, thought and thought. His role is unique in
presenting an exceptional case against the conventional capitalist state
management culture.
The president of a country we understand is very serious,
rich in wealth and full of honor and dignity. It is not unusual to think so in
the context of the world as a whole. But the word exception always comes to
challenge the traditional rule. An example of such an exception is Jose
Muhika.President of Uruguay Jose Mujica is called the poorest president in the
world, but after knowing the talent, wisdom, knowledge and philosophy, it will
be understood that he is the richest president in the world. He served as
President of Uruguay from 2010 to 2015.
President of Uruguay Jose Mujica is called the poorest
president in the world, but after knowing the talent, wisdom, knowledge and
philosophy, it will be understood that he is the richest president in the
world. He served as President of Uruguay from 2010 to 2015.
Between the ages of 13 and 17, Mujica cycled for various
clubs and won many awards. In response to the Cuban Revolution, he joined the
Tupamaros guerrilla movement against the Uruguayan government in 1960. In 1969
he led a successful guerrilla campaign to capture the town of Pando near
Montevideo. He was later jailed under the constitutional ban of then Uruguayan
President Jorge Paseco Areco.In 1971, he escaped from Punta Carretas prison
along with other political prisoners. But in 1972 he was again caught by the
police. After a military coup in 1973, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison
and sent to an army prison. He was released from jail when democracy was
restored in the country in 1985.
He was elected President of Uruguay in the 2009 elections.
As much as he became the talk of the town as president-elect, his lifestyle
brought him even more attention in the world media. However, as the head of
state of Uruguay, which is known as a middle-income country in the world, his monthly
salary is about 12 thousand dollars. But he donates 90% of his salary to the
state treasury and keeps only $775 (more or less) for himself.
This philanthropy earned him the reputation of the world's
poorest president. His wife's name is Lucia. The childless couple's most
expensive possession is a $1,800 car bought in 1987.
Jose Mujica lives in his farmhouse. Two policemen and his
three-legged dog Manuela guard the house. Mujica's home is in a hilly farming
town outside the capital, Montevideo. There he and his wife cultivate flowers
together. The family runs on the wife's income.
One could mistake the farmhouse where the most powerful man
in the Uruguayan administration lives for a haunted house. Instead of living in
a luxurious palace, he chose a very simple life. He still has to cross the
muddy road to reach his farm house. He is not the owner of this half-abandoned
farmhouse, but his wife. Despite being the president, he does regular farming
with his wife on the farm.
The world's poorest president has always kept himself
debt-free, so one-time leftist guerrilla leader Jose Mujica has no debt or even
a bank account. He even feels most comfortable identifying himself as a farmer.
It is difficult to guess the age by looking at the full head of messy gray
hair, small eyes, thick mustache, Dasha's appearance. He did not agree to
change his way of life even after occupying the highest position of the
country.
That's why Mujica, affectionately called 'El Pepe' by the
countrymen, is doing very well with his old house, car and farm, leaving the
luxury. In 2012, he made headlines as the 'world's poorest president'.
Annual disclosure of assets of Uruguayan officials is
mandatory. Following this, in 2010, President Jose Mujica showed his wealth
amounting to 1,800 US dollars. Which is the price of the 1987 model Volkswagen
Beetle. Added half of wife's assets in 2012 returns.
These assets include the value of land, tractors and houses.
His total wealth stands at two hundred and fifteen thousand dollars, which is
still only two-thirds of the declared wealth of the country's vice president.
One of Muhika's assets is the Beetle Car. But that too probably won't be with
the president anymore. He received an offer of 1 million dollars for that car.
And he wants to sell it with courage.
In an interview with Basqueda magazine, the President of
Uruguay said that if he sells the car, he will get one million dollars. An Arab
sheikh gave him this offer. Jose Mujica also said he is considering whether to
accept the offer. And if he really sells the car, he will give the money
received to help the poor.
The president said he had no commitment with the car that it
could not be sold. Instead, he wants to sell the car with a smile. And want to
give that money to the homeless, so that they get shelter. However, Muhika
jokingly said that she wanted to leave the car for her beloved dog Manuela.
“The most humble man in the world resigns today” was the
ultimate wish and fulfillment of Jose Mujica's life as he left office after
five years of contributing to the overall development of Uruguay.