Who Is José Mujica? Age, Biography, and Wiki
José Mujica, born on May 20, 1935, in Montevideo, Uruguay, is a former president who served from 2010 to 2015. Known for his humble lifestyle, Mujica is often referred to as the "Poorest President" for his choice of living in a small farmhouse rather than a presidential palace. As of 2025, he is 89 years old. Renowned for his progressive policies and strong social values, Mujica remains a highly respected figure in both Uruguay and worldwide.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | |
| Age | 90 Years |
| Birth Place | N/A |
| Horoscope | |
| Country |
Popularity
José Mujica's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
José Mujica has a commanding presence, standing at approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall. While his exact weight fluctuates with age, he maintains a slim figure, reflective of his simple lifestyle focused on organic farming and healthy living. As an elderly statesman, his body stats are less focused on fitness and more on well-being.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
José Mujica has been married to Lucía Topolansky since 2005. Lucía is also a prominent political figure in Uruguay, and together they have a strong partnership both personally and politically. They do not have any children, and Mujica often speaks publicly about the value of love, companionship, and social justice. There are no public records of any extramarital relationships or affairs, as Mujica remains devoted to his wife.
Demetrio was a descendant of a Spanish Basque family who arrived in Uruguay in 1842. Through his paternal grandmother, Mujica is a distant relative of several prominent Uruguayan politicians, including Gabriel Terra, who served as the country's 26th president between 1931 and 1938.
Demetrio's parents owned several agricultural properties, which were used as training grounds for soldiers to combat the uprisings led by revolutionary leader Aparicio Saravia. A farmer by profession, Demetrio went bankrupt shortly before his death in 1940 when José was five years old.
Her father was an active member of the National Party and a follower of Herrerism, and he was selected on several occasions as an alderman for Colonia and became closely acquainted with Luis Alberto de Herrera.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, José Mujica's net worth is estimated to be around $1 million. During his presidency, he adopted a minimalist lifestyle and donated a significant portion of his salary to charitable causes. His modest wealth reflects his commitment to socialist principles and contrasts sharply with many contemporary political figures. He is known to continue advocating for economic equality and social justice, which may impact his earnings post-presidency.
While in office, Mujica was described as being "the world's poorest president" due to his austere lifestyle and his donation of around 90 percent of his US$12,000 monthly salary to charities that support low-income individuals and small entrepreneurs. He was an outspoken critic of capitalism's focus on stockpiling material possessions which do not contribute to human happiness.
Career, Business, and Investments
Before entering politics, Mujica was involved in agricultural work and was a member of the Tupamaros, a leftist urban guerrilla group. His political career began in the 1980s and he eventually held various roles in the Uruguayan government, leading up to his presidency. Post-presidency, Mujica remains engaged in social and environmental activism, advocating for sustainable agricultural practices and social equity. His investments primarily focus on organic farming and civic initiatives rather than traditional business ventures.
In the 1994 general elections, Mujica was elected deputy and in the elections of 1999 he was elected senator. Due in part to Mujica's charisma, the MPP continued to grow in popularity and votes, and by 2004, it had become the largest faction within the Broad Front.
In the elections of that year, Mujica was re-elected to the Senate, and the MPP obtained over 300,000 votes, thus consolidating its position as the top political force within the coalition and a major force behind the victory of presidential candidate Tabaré Vázquez.
On 1 March 2005, Vázquez designated Mujica as the Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (Mujica's own professional background was in the agricultural sector). Upon becoming minister, Mujica resigned his position as senator. He held this position until a cabinet change in 2008, when he resigned and was replaced by Ernesto Agazzi.
Mujica then returned to his seat in the Senate.
Social Network
José Mujica is an active figure on social media, particularly on platforms that promote social causes. While he does not actively post frequently, he occasionally shares thoughts through interviews and public addresses. His Twitter and Facebook profiles have garnered a significant following, as people look to him for insight on progressive ideas and global issues.
Even though President Vázquez favored his Finance Minister Danilo Astori as the presidential candidate of the then-unified Broad Front to succeed him in 2010, Mujica's broad appeal and growing support within the party posed a challenge to the president.
On 14 December 2008, a special party convention proclaimed Mujica as the official candidate of the Broad Front for the 2009 primary elections, but four more precandidates were allowed to participate, including Astori.
On 28 June 2009, Mujica won the primary elections to become the presidential candidate of the Broad Front for the 2009 presidential election. After that, Astori agreed to be his running mate.
Their campaign was centered on the concept of continuing and deepening the policies of the highly popular administration of Vázquez, using the slogan Un gobierno honrado, un país de primera ("An honorable government, a first-class country") – indirectly referencing cases of administrative corruption within the former government of the major opp
osition candidate, conservative Luis Alberto Lacalle.
During the campaign, Mujica distanced himself from the governing style of presidents like Hugo Chávez of Venezuela or Evo Morales of Bolivia, claiming the center-left governments of Brazilian Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva or Chilean socialist Michelle Bachelet as regional examples upon which he would model his administration.
Known for his informal style of dress, Mujica donned a suit (without a tie) for some stops in the presidential campaign, notably during visits to regional heads of state.
Education
Mujica's formal education was limited; he attended a local primary school but did not pursue higher education due to his early involvement in political activism. His experiences, however, have made him a learned individual, with wisdom stemming from years of political participation and life lessons. Mujica often emphasizes education's importance, advocating for accessible educational opportunities for all citizens.
During the final months of 2013, Serbian film director Emir Kusturica started shooting a documentary on the life of Mujica, whom he considered "the last hero of politics". The film, titled El Pepe, una vida suprema, was released in 2018.
In 2014 Italian author Frank Iodice wrote the book Breve dialogo sulla felicità, which centers on Mujica's life. Ten thousand copies of the book were printed and distributed for free to school children. In June 2016, Mujica received the Order of the Flag of Republika Srpska from the president of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik.
