A Legendary Figure Bids Farewell: Pepe Mujica, Uruguay's Beloved Ex-President, Passes Away at 89
Momentous Upheaval: A Radical Transformation - "Revolutionary Figure Passes: Ex-President Mujica of Uruguay Dies at 89"
The news of Pepe Mujica's demise sent waves of sorrow and remembrance throughout the heart of Uruguay's capital, Montevideo. Admirers of Mujica's Movement for Popular Participation (MPP) congregated outside the party headquarters, hoisting massive placards screaming, "Hasta siempre, viejo querido" (Forever, dear old friend). As passersby on bicycles cycled past, they yelled, "Pepe forever." The administration announced that Mujica's body would be transferred to the parliamentary palace on Wednesday and laid to rest there.
A waiter named Walter Larus, at an unassuming corner café in downtown Montevideo, remembered Mujica's visit shortly after he took office in 2010. "He felt and behaved like an ordinary person, not like today's politicians who seem to be wealthy," said the 53-year-old.
Nicknamed the "poorest president of the world," Mujica was cherished as an icon by Latin America's Left. He donated most of his presidential income, drove a 1987 Volkswagen Beetle, and resided on a small farm outside Montevideo with his wife and a three-legged dog. Many people also had affection for his casual clothing style, often spotting him in shirtsleeves and a sweater.
During an interview with AFP in 2012, Mujica refuted the title "world's poorest president." "I don't live in poverty," he explained. "I live frugally. I require little to survive."
Mujica co-founded the Tupamaros urban guerrilla group in the 1960s. He spent the 1973-1985 Uruguayan dictatorship in prison, where he was subjected to torture and solitary confinement for an extended period of time. Following his release, he established the MPP, Uruguay's largest left-wing party, and was elected to parliament in 1995.
He served as the president of this South American country from 2010 to 2015. During his tenure, Mujica legalized abortion, same-sex marriage, and cannabis. His protégé, current President Yamandú Orsi, stands in his footsteps.
Last May, Mujica was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. His wife, Lucía Topolansky, another former Tupamaros guerrilla fighter, said this week that Mujica was receiving palliative care.
Left-wing political leaders from across Latin America and Europe expressed their condolences following news of Mujica's passing. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum hailed him as a "role model for Latin America and the whole world," while Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Mujica's "human greatness transcended Uruguay and his presidency." Colombian President Gustavo Petro, himself a former guerrilla fighter, lauded Mujica as "a great revolutionary." Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez praised him as a champion who devoted his life to "a better world," and Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo eulogized him as "an example of humility and greatness."
- Uruguay
- Heralded Symbol
- Sweater
- Montevideo
- Wife
- Pepe Mujica
- Tupamaros
- Latin America
- Yamandú Orsi
- Europe
José "Pepe" Mujica, the former President of Uruguay, was hailed for his humility and commitment to social reforms throughout his life. Born on May 20, 1935, Mujica started his political journey in the 1950s and became a key figure in the Tupamaros, a guerrilla group that fought against the Uruguayan government. Despite being imprisoned for over a decade after the Tupamaros were defeated by a military coup in the 1970s, Mujica transitioned into mainstream politics post the restoration of democracy in 1985, building a new democratic movement that gained widespread admiration. Known for his revolutionary spirit, Mujica oversaw the legalization of same-sex marriage, marijuana, and numerous social and economic reforms during his presidency from 2010 to 2015, upholding his commitment to equality and a better world. He passed away on May 14, 2025, at the age of 89, leaving behind a lasting legacy that continues to inspire many in Uruguay and beyond.
- In Uruguay's bustling capital, Montevideo, hearts were heavy with grief following the news of Pepe Mujica's passing.
- Mujica, a beloved figure and heralded symbol, spent his final days amidst comfort from his sweater and the presence of his wife.
- Many reminisced about Mujica's presidency, recalling the changes that his politics instigated, including the legalization of same-sex marriage, abortion, and marijuana.
- The streets of Montevideo continued to echo the name "Pepe" long after his car-accidents-ridden journey ended at the age of 89.
- Mujica's legacy transcended Uruguay's borders, earning him the admiration of Latin America and Europe.
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez applauded Mujica for dedicating his life to a better world, while Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo eulogized him as an example of humility and greatness.
- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva described Mujica's human greatness as surpassing Uruguay and his presidency.
- Colombian President Gustavo Petro, another former guerrilla fighter, philosophized Mujica as "a great revolutionary."
- On the omnipresent political landscape of Latin America, Mujica was revered as a role model for his dedication to justice and peace.*epsilon Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez lauded Mujica as a champion who devoted his life to "a better world," while Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo eulogized him as "an example of humility and greatness."
- European leaders echoed these sentiments, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez praising Mujica as a champion and Manuel Valls, France's former prime minister, expressing his respect for Mujica's legacy.
- Mujica's political acumen extended beyond Uruguay's borders, prompting policy-and-legislation changes that impacted Latin America and Europe alike.
- Mujica's former colleague, current President Yamandú Orsi, pledged to continue Mujica's vision of social justice and equality, fostering hope for changes to come in Uruguay.
- Born on May 20, 1935, Mujica led a tumultuous life, marked by his involvement in the Tupamaros and years spent in prison during the war-and-conflicts-ridden 1970s.
- Despite his humble beginnings, Mujica's influence transcended the boundaries of general-news, permeating into the realms of crime-and-justice, sports, and even sports-betting.
- From the football pitches of Laliga to the arenas of mixed-martial-arts, Mujica's revolutionary spirit inspired athletes across various nationalities and sports, including basketball, NCAABasketball, MLB, NHL, premier-league, horse-racing, golf, tennis, and auto-racing.
- As news of Mujica's passing reverberated across Europe, it was the weather-forecasting industry that unexpectedly felt the loss, as Mujica, a keen enthusiast and proponent of accurate weather forecasting, had shared a rapport with meteorologists worldwide.
