Meet the man who was the world’s poorest president so far
An exceptional person with exceptional generosity and lifestyle
Have you ever thought you’d come across something like this?😁
Since childhood, we’ve seen our presidents riding in expensive cars, living in luxurious presidential palaces and what not. No wonder,you’ve to be very well-off to become a president, especially in subcontinent.
This is what I knew until I’ve chanced upon Jose Mujica, who was the world’s poorest president till now.
What make him so special
After assuming the role of Uruguay’s president in 2010, he declined to move into the luxurious presidential palace provided by the state.
Instead,he chose to stay with his wife and his dog in her farmhouse with little security around.Living a very simple life that you haven’t seen any other world leaders to do so till now.
He also refused to use any government motorcade.He used to drive to his work in a 30-year- old Volkswagen Bettle. Till date, he uses the same car.
During his tenure as president, he donated 90% of his income to charity.
By the way, his wealth at the time election was estimated to around $1800.
All these made him the poorest president in the world. But, he doesn't believe he is poor.His definition of poor is far different from ours. Interesting too. He said in an interview with BBC,
“I’m called ‘the poorest president’, but I don’t feel poor. Poor people are those who only work to try to keep an expensive lifestyle, and always want more and more”
He further explained his views
“This is a matter of freedom. If you don’t have many possessions then you don’t need to work all your life like a slave to sustain them, and therefore you have more time for yourself”
“I may appear to be an eccentric old man… But this is a free choice.”
What has made him to adopt such a simple life?
Jose Mujica started his life as a farmer. Later on , he joined a political movement to fight against the dictatorship rule in Uruguay for years.For this , he had to spent 14 years in jail — first 10 years in solitary confinement.
During that time, his thinking about life completely changed. It eventually brought significant changes to his lifestyle as well.
An example of Jose Mujica generosity
In an interview with Human in 2015, he shared how his austere personality is reflected in his decision-making.
“Instead of buying a presidential jet, we decided instead to buy a very expensive rescue helicopter from France that will help accident victims. Where’s the dilemma? A presidential jet or a rescue chopper? It’s an easy choice. It’s a question of sobriety.
What I’d recommend is that we stop wasting resources on useless things, on luxurious houses that take six servants to maintain. What good is all that? None of that is necessary. We can live much more modestly. We can spend our resources on things that are really important for everyone. That’s the real meaning of democracy, the meaning that politicians have lost.”
Are you wondering - “ Will we ever get to see someone like Mujica in our country?”
Certainly, not in the near future.
If it happens by anyway, it would be a miracle then. 😅
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