Jose Mujica, the former president of Uruguay known as "the world's most frugal president," passed away on the 13th (local time) at the age of 89.
Current President Yamandú Orsi announced Mujica's death on social media that day.
President Orsi expressed, "I will miss my comrade," and noted, "Mujica was an activist, a model of society, and a respected elder."
Former President Mujica had been battling esophageal cancer since April of last year. In January, he stated, "It is no longer bearable due to metastasis of cancer cells" and ceased chemotherapy.
Mujica gained national popularity among Uruguayans under the nickname "Pepe."
He was born in 1935 in Montevideo. During the 1960s and 1970s, he spent 15 years in prison for his activities with the leftist guerrilla group "Tupamaros" against military dictatorship.
After being pardoned, Mujica entered politics, founding the leftist Broad Front (Frente Amplio) and serving as a Congressman and Minister. He ultimately won the presidency in the 2009 elections and served from 2010 to 2015. Mujica achieved significant results in economic growth and poverty reduction in Uruguay during his tenure.
However, his true fame came from his simple lifestyle. He donated 90% of his presidential salary to social organizations. Instead of living in the presidential residence, he lived with his wife on a shabby farm on the outskirts of the capital, Montevideo. He commuted in an old Volkswagen Beetle.
Mujica insisted on simplicity, rejecting a lavish lifestyle. He stated in a media interview, "Life has no price tag," and added, "Am I poor? No. Poor people are those who are overly greedy."
He sometimes introduced bold policies. He legalized same-sex marriage in a country with a strong Catholic tradition. Uruguay also became the first country in the world to fully legalize marijuana under Mujica's administration.
These policies sparked controversy at the time of their introduction but eventually yielded positive effects. Local media reported that marijuana legalization significantly reduced "enforcement-related social expenses."
Foreign Policy magazine noted, "Mujica introduced pragmatic progressivism in Uruguay" and explained, "He built a leftist model that reconciled economic growth with social security."
As he faced the end of his life, Mujica left a final message: "The foundation of democracy is respect for those who hold different opinions than I do."
CNN reported, "He transformed from a guerrilla with weapons into a political reformer, gaining international fame," adding, "His philosophy and frugal lifestyle have become topics of discussion among world leaders."