Meet the “Poorest President” in the World – Uruguayan President José Mujica Drives a Volkswagen Beetle & Donates 90% of his Salary to Charity
Posted on Thursday, September 27th, 2012 at 9:26 AMBy Adeola Adeyemo
While our Nigerian leaders are being berated for refusing to declare their assets publicly and demanding astronomical pay rise to add to the already exorbitant allowances they receive, the President of Uruguay, José Mujica is getting world wide recognition and respect for donating 90 percent of his earnings to charitable causes.
He has earned what most people would call an enviable reputation as the “poorest,” or the “most generous,” president in the world. His nickname, “el presidente mas pobre” translates to “poorest president”.
The President said in a recent interview that the only big item he owns is his Volkswagen Beetle car, valued at $1,945 dollars (about N308,283) . He earns a salary of $12,500 a month (N1,981,250), but only keeps $1,250(N198,125) for himself, donating the rest to charity.
He lives in a farmhouse which is under his wife’s name, Lucía Topolansky, a Senator, who also donates part of her salary.
The 77 year-old who has been Uruguay’s president since March 1, 2010 told El Mundo, “I do fine with that amount; I have to do fine because there are many Uruguayans who live with much less.”
It was also reported that under his 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.
Yahoo News reported that the President has no bank accounts, no debts, and he enjoys the companionship of his dog, Manuela. When his term is over, the President hopes to rest even more peacefully in his farmhouse, along with his wife and his inseparable dog.
There is something about leading by example. When you do, it becomes easier for other people to follow.
Tags: José Mujica, Uruguay
Wow,nice
Bless his heart!
I am in awe of his generosity and selfless nature. I pray we can all emulate such selflessness in our daily lives. Don’t wait to be in a place of authority, start now to affect lives around you.
WOW… I have goose-bumps.
Wow speechless…… as in lobatan……abegi i need visa out of this corrupt nation
wow wow
No he is not the Poorest President but the richest President in the World. Why richies when u can’t enjoy them, like what we have in nigeria, if you think all these politicians and the rest of them are enjoying their stolen monies it a big lie when u get to know them one-on-one u find out they are suffering on the inside. for me President Jose Mujica is the richest president because he is Satisfy with what he has.
Thank YOU O JARE…
although it made me chuckle so cute and humble in his little sweet beetle.
In addition, he is rich cos he HAS NO DEBTS… that is massive in this generation..
I love and appreciate people that are always content not living above their means but content and generous not GREEDY. But in NIAJA, 40 CARS for one person is called life.. what utter nonsense…. I dont know why the average person would need more than one car expect for exceptions (incase one happens to breakdown). But anything more is causing more environmental havoc. I wonder if we have policies and strict driving body in Nigeria.. (random rant).
People we should emulate HIM….this a man after JESUS.
http://lifeinstagesdoz.blogspot.co.uk/
yea purpleicious babe, its astonishing that we are clue less and lawless !
i completely agree
I wish we have somebody like this in Nigeria.
wow….God bless his heart n make him an example to all……money cant buy peace n this is the peaceful path he has chosen…his life is a blessing
WOW…… IMPRESSIVE! I HOPE WE GET THERE SOMEDAY IN NIGERIA
By then, the world would have ended.
OMG!!! dis is amazing… a heart of gold,very touching…our leaders shld emulate these kind of pple!!!
It is very wonderful 2 hear and see dat,de president is driving a beetle in dis world.he humble himself jst like christ jesus.leaders should emulate him.
now thats a leader.
http://lucianochinwe.blogspot.com/
wow am so inspired. I hope our law makers gets to read this
Why will anyone want to be corrupt in Uruguay when the president is obviously living a clean and satisfied life. Its greed that drives corruption, crime and other intolerable acts not just in Nigeria but the world. May God bless him abundantly for his good acts and may his children live by his example that his blessings follow them for generations to come in Jesus name! Amen!!
Don’t have kids, don’t believe in God!
@birdieblue22, you are absolutely right. The way we hear politicians calling billions like coins, armed robbers have gotten more daring, new appointees want to embezzle all the money before they even think of work that needs to be done. It’s so sad. If we get a leader with a quarter of this men’s values, imagine how far we will go!
This is guy is sure rich in mind and in abundance.
Nigerian leaders suffer from poverty of d mind
Even when satisfied they stl want more, useless Oliver twists
They shd take a cue from this man
A la finito
“Life is more than what we see”……..that president has understood this saying, i would love to have even if it’s just 10 minutes talking with him
i don’t think driving a beetle is safe for him ..but i suppose to each his own…
Is this man really a president? Am touched beyond words, can this EVER happen in Nigeria? People move up and down in sirens and yet the poor expands everyday. God help us all
Contentment….
Lobatan!!!!!!!!! Dats leadership by example ,not here dat all of dis politician want to own d country and its revenue to themselves. God is watching. But dey should always remember we came to dis world wit NOTHING and we will leave just d same way we came . Dey should always remeber being there is just a previledge and always consider d masses. God bles d Urugua President!!!!!!!!!!!
Truly THE RICHEST PRESIDENT… riches is not by wealth but by how many lives u have touched while on earth…God bless your heart Mr. President.
God bless his heart…..theres a place in heaven for people like this
@ Sey thats so true….he is sure the richest cos he will never lack anything he needs……not the politicians here gathering money for their children to scatter…..
Wow!!! He’s an in inspiration. I’m sure a lot of politicians down here and other countries will look at him and ‘yimu’. May God continue to bless him.
Behold the wealthiest president….
@adenike, lol @ ‘look at him nd yimu’ , really true…we shld knw dat everythin we acquire on earth is vanity…may God bless him eternally…
Truly inspirational. God please give us leaders that are not out to build their wealth.
http://www.Anemistyle.blogspot.com
I wish some of us have his kinda of heart, he so generous
Awwww so Touching..He’s nt poor Buh Rich cox He owes nobody
We need leaders like this
short of words’ Godbls you jare!!! u’re indeed a role model. long live mr president
May God richly bless President Jose Mujica. This is a president after my own heart not like Nigerian and African presidents who grow fat looting the public coffers while the masses they lead die in abject poverty.
how many of todays presidents ca do dis,living by examle and others will follow ure steps.#lobatan#
Now this is what leadership is all about. Giving, not taking.
http://dprodigalchild.wordpress.com/
I love this man. His reward awaits him in HEAVEN
A good man with a good heart
Abeg abeg , WETIN?!!! Yes God bless his kind heart. but i would hate to be his daughter. pulllleeeeze, u people should move to uruguay naa. as if u cld be like him. I love money and money loves me. no beetle car abegzz.
Well God shall judge all
woooowwwwwww
This is great….God give be the grace!
this is great news, if only nigerian leaders can take their salary only and nothing more nigeria would be so much better. P.S. Bella naija i hope you get someone to gather info and do an article on the bakassi problem, because former lawyer for the federal government have verified that there are a lot of skeletons in the ceding deal that was not made known.
Oh my goodness that”s great. God bless you and your family papa.
Cloud of tears gathered in my eyes as I read this. Please he is not poor. Poverty is measured in so many ways, alas we measure based on material aggrandizement but the truth is that wealth is all about how many lives you have affected. Believe me this man’s honor worths million dollars more than all the so called Wealthy politicians. President, you have a place in my heart. In m heart you have fellow occupant like Mandela, Ghandi, Mother Teresa, Awolowo
http://brandigest.wordpress.com/2012/09/27/stepping-into-the-shoes-of-the-consumers/
Super awesome! I only wish he believed in God…
There you go judging. You believe in God but call yourself
Sexxie? Where does it state in the article that he doesn’t believe in God? Most South Americans go to church and believe in God more than Nigerians. Please learn a lesson or two from the article and stop being negative.
I love you for this comment…dont mind funny people…how else cn u explin belief in God? Someone gives wy 90% of his slry nd u still think you re better dn him? bcos u go to church?
@ Berna & vinotemia, kai! u r both beyond myopic! Who is judging here? I only expressed my wish based on further reading, Google is always ur friend u know. And by d way, Sexxie is an alias.
The chick (or dude, or person) said “wish”, “wish” for crying out loud!!!!! So somebody cannot wish again?! So if I said I wish that I could meet Lebron James, shey you’ll go ahead and saay I am being judgemental; wish as in expressing HER (or maybe his) desire
WOW!!! May God continue to bless him and his family. He’s my role model.
Interesting…I am sure this guy was like this before he became the president. He didn’t suddenly change as soon as they elected him to rule. If you really love his life style then you can do the same. Altruism does not only apply to leaders. You don’t have to be a leader or the president to emulate the dude.
wow…hope!
Bless him Lord
Indeed going throw the this makes me believe there are still saints on earth. Mr Pressy God will wonderfully reward you
If you are touched and want to be like him, there is an opportunity for that in Naija…its not all about just praising him…can we do as he does?…can we donate part of our salary to help those in need? If you are truly touched reach out to this website and do the much you can…Its not my NGO, I am just doing my part to broadcast…http://www.cpcenter.com.ng/
That’s life…life is fun when we think like this honourable man,he’s an epitome of love,my hero.the richest man on earth.God bless you.
Lets talk about ourselves as we talk about our leaders. The guy is able to achieve this because people are not coming to him for fund raising, launching, marriage and perhaps tons of children plus concubines. Our society put so much pressure on our leaders too.
Exactly!!! we this kind of Leader in the Philippines…so much….
Exactly!!! we need this kind of Leader in the Philippines…so much….
due to this news, OLUSEGUN OBASANJO has vowed to donate 70% of his properties to charitable causes if only Nigerians will re-elect him again so he can right all his wrong doings.
Imagine This! Great guy! and our own president is using N1billion to eat in a year….mtcheeeeeew! This guy will most def live in peace, no be say he go dey run from EFCC after he lives govt!
This applies not only to politicians. I wish our church leaders will also emulate this man, as they are equally as guilty. I’m not sure why a church pastor needs a private jet (or 2 sef) and luxury cars with escorts and convoys when they have members of their congregation who are poor and still manage to pay tithes and offerings. The lesson here for me is moderation and contentment.
This is TRUE leadership,which is SERVIVE to the people and not the reverse in Nigeria,where they steal from the citizens to enrich themselves and gather curses for them and their generation.GOD Bless the heart and soul of the Uruguay President,l dole my hat for him.
Come to think about it, I dont think there is anyone trying to assasinate him. If our naija leaders should that beetle would have to be bulletproof because that is Naija for you
what these foolish Nigerian politicians do not understand is that the more money they embezzle, the less security and happiness they have. How can you steal so much money and the people around you are starving do you think you will ever have peace of mind? You can hire as many security guards as you like one day even the security man will turn against and kidnap you and your children, you think its only you that likes money abi. They also like to go abroad to spend their ill gotten funds in countries that their own peers built good infrastructures. If i were them everytime I go to another country, i’ll go back to Nigeria in shame. Its like being a teacher and all your students cannot read and write you are either not doing your job or you are really bad at it then what are you rewarding yourself for?
excess fat is not easy get rid of. which i want to lose weight by doing doing exercises, yet many people marriage doing exercises, my wife and i enjoy meals a little more. i’ve got a bigger stomach. So i would like something to finally suppress this desire for, i’ve truly prescribed this skill novel edition MSV, It works best for me, the very skin gels discussing me. i have to shed the excess weight far more, then i expand the take to finally 2 skin gels every day, I i am none of annoyed, thus ill carry out having to take 2 pills every day. in actuality exciiting
Oh, i wish i was Uruguayan…its hard to come by special leaders.
African Presidents, its a must this should be the qualification for one to be elected a PRESIDENT in poor Africa.
that’s a very good one, how i wish our leaders will hear this,and ready to emulate
God bless his soul
as in? i want to cry. can u just imagine? this man is so content its painful to read about. it even makes me want to review my own priorities….heaven is a sure place for him jare.
How I wish my Poor Malawi had such selfless statesmen
Mine is just a prayer for him. If people are talking like this. It shows God is very happy with him. The wealth that we amass here on earth will not follow in heaven. The only thing that pleases God is the good heart that sympathizes with the less privileged. You loose nothing when you use your wealth to change the lives of others. In fact God protects you from all sorts of problems be it ill health, insecurity etc. Any good thing that we do here on earth, with no doubt, will make enter paradise. Politicians and church leaders think ordinary people are their gold mines. Shame! Rich people get a life!
wow pple like that are rilly had to find,wts up with our poor country uganda,,politicians are stealing every thing,goooooosh even funds for AIDS patients????????
In deed, He is the welthiest President in the world… and his rank as the wealtiest might be imposible for other leaders!
and kenya…..mps gave themselves a gratuity of 200million $ which kenyans dumped as the greatest robbery to have ever happened….imagine a poor country like kenya the president is more paid than america
Dats is a man who can say i m a Christian, leader, father, pastor, king i will belive him without thinking twice…Nigeria leader need to learn from him
Why do we forget our very own Thomas Sankara? He was certainly poorer that this president. But as always, Africa Kills Her Sun. Check out this wikipedia link on Sankara to see one of Africas greatest and most illustrious son’s. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Sankara
African leaders need to learn from this guy
Love u sir u r very good for ur nation and ur nation also very good to u
LOVE FOR ALL HATRED FOR NONE
WHO CAN BE LIKE THIS URUGUAYAN PRESIDENT, JOSE MUJICA, HE DRIVES A VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE AND SHARES 90% OF HIS SALARY TO CHARITY? HOW I WISH TO FIND THAT INDIVIDUAL IN OUR CONTEMPORARY LIBERIAN SOCIETY, BE IT GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL OR PROMINENT WEALTHY LIBERIAN. MAY GOD BLESS PRESIDENT MUJICA.
he is surely gonna make heaven . God give me this kind of heart
that’s the best example of a living saint. many presidents/leaders prefer shedding blood, corruption and witchcraft just to make sure they remain in power. may the Almighty God bless him and make the worldly leaders to learn from him
He is the greatest president I have ever read about. God bless him.
When i read about you I try to see your picture daily to remind me the person should be like this, I would like to see you, meet you because bad are too much in this world and good………….. very far from your eyes, if you send me invitation I will arrange all my travelling expenditure.
Love you
Noor Muhammad.
TAKVOG ČOVJEKA, PREDSJEDNIKA, TREBA SVAKA DRŽAVA. VAPI ZA NJIM!
Such a man, PRESIDENT, TO EACH COUNTRY. Needed him!
Whaooooo, truth or not can Nigeria president do such, all they know is fighting on budget for next year Billions of naira…… My God Beetles car lol
MR. PRESIDENT
I WOULD LIKE TO INVEST IN YOUR COUNTRY , PLEASE, EMAIL ME IF YOU INTERESTED, THANKS AN GOD BLESS YOU ,
400 years coming my country nigeria can never ever be like this, jose mujica there is a place for u in heaven, as they say good things are always rear and expensive in life same thing with jose mojica.
tears welled up in my eyes when I read about this amazing President. God bless him. I wish he was a president in an African Country.
Ok for you that think this man is saint you need to inform yourselves. He is a murderer, thief, kidnapper, torturer, liar and so on. He is a Tupamaro which was a radical leftist terrorist group in the 60’s that is responsible for triggering military control of Uruguay that lasted 24 years. He is responsible for kidnapping & giving the order to murder “Dan Mitrione” an American F.B.I Agent in 1970 as well as ordering the murder of police officers & anyone that refused to cooperate with his group. He personaly gave a lethal injection to a rookie Cop because the Cop spotted them having a meeting (The Tupamaros where terrorist) so they murdered him before he could reveal their location…. THIS MAN IS THE BIGGEST CRIMENAL IN URUGUAY!… Most educated Uruguayans fled the country in the 70’s & 80’S which is why such scum could become president. .. Google “Barrio Borro…. Barrio Marconi… or asentamientos” to see what this man has created… Google Tupamaros. There is even a video on youtube of this man bragging about the murders, kidnappings, thefts and so on that he did…. ROT IN HELL MUJICA!!!!