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Uruguay Mourns Former President José Mujica, Dead at 89

Known for his modest lifestyle and transformative policies, Mujica's death has prompted three days of national mourning and tributes from global leaders.

FILE - Uruguay's President Jose Mujica poses for a photo with his dog, Manuela, at his home on the outskirts of Montevideo, Uruguay, May 2, 2014. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico, File)
FILE - Presidential candidate Jose Mujica drinks mate during a closing campaign rally in Pando, Uruguay, Oct. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico, File)
Supporters walk behind the casket of Uruguay's former President Jose Mujica during his funeral procession from the presidential palace to the National Assembly in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich)
FILE - TO HOLD - Uruguay's former President Jose Mujica arrives to cast his vote in Montevideo, Uruguay, Oct. 26, 2014. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)

Overview

  • José Mujica, Uruguay's former president and a globally admired figure for his humility and progressive reforms, died on May 13, 2025, at age 89 after battling esophageal cancer.
  • Current President Yamandú Orsi, Mujica's political protégé, declared three days of national mourning, with Mujica's body lying in state at the legislative palace in Montevideo.
  • Mujica, often referred to as the 'world's poorest president,' lived on a modest farm, donated most of his salary, and rejected the trappings of political privilege during his presidency from 2010 to 2015.
  • His leadership saw Uruguay legalize abortion, same-sex marriage, and recreational cannabis, positioning the nation as a leader in social progressivism in Latin America.
  • Tributes have poured in from across Latin America and beyond, with leaders highlighting his legacy of humility, humanism, and dedication to democracy and social justice.