Usually presidents are not associated with poverty. Some, like Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, are even linked to big spending and generous welfare programs.
But the President of Uruguay, José Mujica, has earned the nickname of the “poorest,” or the “most generous,” president in the world — depending on how you see things— after revealing that he donates 90 percent of his earnings, to charitable causes.
In a recent interview, Mujica told Spain’s El Mundo that he earns a salary of $12,500 a month, but only keeps $1,250 for himself, donating the rest to charity.
The president said that the only big item he owns is his Volks Wagen car, valued at $1,945 dollars. The farmhouse in which he lives in Montevideo is under his wife’s name, LucÃa Topolansky, a Senator, who also donates part of her salary.
“I do fine with that amount; I have to do fine because there are many Uruguayans who live with much less,” the president told El Mundo.
The 77-year-old Mujica is a former guerilla leader, who fought against Uruguay’s military regimes in the 1970s. He was also Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries from 2005 to 2008 and afterwards, served as a senator.
Later on, as presidential candidate for the Broad Front, the left-wing coalition, Mujica won the 2009 election becoming Uruguay’s president on March 1, 2010.
Uruguay is the second smallest nation in South America by area, after Suriname. However it is one of the most developed countries on the continent, with a GDP per capita of $15,656. That’s less than half of United States’ GDP per capita, but it triples earnings in Honduras which has a GDP per capita of just $4,345.
Under Mujica’s stewardship, Uruguay has become known for low levels of corruption. The South American country ranks as the second least corrupt country in Latin America in Transparency International’s global corruption index.
Uruguay also made it to the world cup 2010 semi-finals while Mujica was in office, and the country won the South American Soccer championships in 2011, stunning tournament hosts Argentina, in a memorable performance by striker Diego Forlan.
It seems therefore, that it’s a good time to be Jose Mujica.
Without bank accounts, and with few debts, Mujica told El Mundo that he sleeps peacefully. When his term is over, the President hopes to rest even more peacefully in his farmhouse, along with his wife and his inseparable dog, Manuela. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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It is a good idea to let our leaders know about this and learn from it.The question is that can we have such a volunteer?
ReplyDeleteOur leaders should learn from these
ReplyDeleteAll earthy possession is vanity
Oh, may this happen in our land, Nigeria at 52. What do u see?
ReplyDeleteIts unimaginable for Naija leaders to give hard earned money to charity yet all they do is loot govt treasury.
ReplyDeleteIts so unfortunate that our leaders don't visit sites like this. They are ordinary suit sayers with bunch of promises before getting to power. They make life look like hell for the masses afterwards. Gasoline: 94 Naira per litre.
ReplyDeleteplease send this to all African Leaders so that they can learn from this man.from concerned Nigerian
ReplyDeletePls send dis post to obasanjo. Thanks
ReplyDeleteIft his man can give his all,then our so -called presidents shld be able to do likewise but the one million dollar question is"can this happen in Naija".
ReplyDeleteThis man is so selfless.I pray I be able to give this much.Imagine a whole president ridding a bettle whereas our political bigots nd so called pastors not to talk of our govt gallivate abt in their private jets at d expense of d masses.
ReplyDeleteGod forbid! This can never happen in Nigeria. Instead, govt officials still steal and exploit d poor. Even the money meant from charity from abroad end up in d rich men pocket. Salary earners see hell to collect their wages from their task masters (govt. and private companies). Nigerian wealthy people are not generous at all. They are selfish and self centred. May God help us.
ReplyDeleteGod forbid! This can never happen in Nigeria. Instead, govt officials still steal and exploit d poor. Even the money meant from charity from abroad end up in d rich men pocket. Salary earners see hell to collect their wages from their task masters (govt. and private companies). Nigerian wealthy people are not generous at all. They are selfish and self centred. May God help us.
ReplyDeleteLIFE IS NOT ALL ABOUT MONEY OR FAME. LIVE FOR OTHERS .I LOVE THIS MAN ACTS
ReplyDelete