World’s ‘Poorest’ President Dies At 89

Former Uruguayan President José Mujica, known as “Pepe,” who is known as the world’s “poorest president” because of his modest lifestyle, has died at the age of 89.

Pepe governed Uruguay from 2010 to 2015.

Current President Yamandú Orsi announced his predecessor’s death on X (formerly Twitter). “Thank you for everything you gave us and for your deep love for your people,” he said.

Pepe’s cause of death was not yet known, but he had esophageal cancer.

While in office, Pepe rejected moving into the presidential residence, as heads of state worldwide usually do.

nstead, he remained with his wife, politician and former guerrilla Lucía Topolansky, in their modest home on the outskirts of Montevideo, with no domestic help and little security.

This, combined with the fact that he always dressed casually, led some media outlets to call him “the world’s poorest president.”

He was often seen driving his light blue 1987 Volkswagen Beetle and giving away a large portion of his salary.

But Pepe always rejected that title, “They say I’m the poorest president. No, I’m not,” he said in a 2012 interview at his home.

He added, “Poor are those who want more because they’re in an endless race.”