Uruguayan President José Mujica, has earned the nickname of the “poorest,” or the “most generous,” president in the world
By LARA FERNANDEZ

Usually presidents are not associated with poverty. Some, like Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, are even linked to big spending and generous welfare programs.

But the President of Uruguay, José Mujica, has earned the nickname of the “poorest,” or the “most generous,” president in the world — depending on how you see things— after revealing that he donates 90 percent of his earnings, to charitable causes.

In a recent interview, Mujica told Spain’s El Mundo that he earns a salary of $12,500 a month, but only keeps $1,250 for himself, donating the rest to charity.

The president said that the only big item he owns is his VW car, valued at $1,945 dollars. The farmhouse in which he lives in Montevideo is under his wife’s name, Lucía Topolansky, a Senator, who also donates part of her salary.

“I do fine with that amount; I have to do fine because there are many Uruguayans who live with much less,” the president told El Mundo.

The 77-year-old Mujica is a former guerilla leader, who fought against Uruguay’s military regimes in the 1970s. He was also Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries from 2005 to 2008 and afterwards, served as a senator.

Later on, as presidential candidate for the Broad Front, the left-wing coalition, Mujica won the 2009 election becoming Uruguay’s president on March 1, 2010.

Uruguay is the second smallest nation in South America by area, after Suriname. However it is one of the most developed countries on the continent, with a GDP per capita of $15,656. That’s less than half of United States’ GDP per capita, but it triples earnings in Honduras which has a GDP per capita of just $4,345.

Under Mujica’s 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.

Uruguay also made it to the world cup 2010 semi-finals while Mujica was in office, and the country won the South American Soccer championships in 2011, stunning tournament hosts Argentina, in a memorable performance by striker Diego Forlan.

It seems therefore, that it’s a good time to be Jose Mujica.

Without bank accounts, and with few debts, Mujica told El Mundo that he sleeps peacefully. When his term is over, the President hopes to rest even more peacefully in his farmhouse, along with his wife and his inseparable dog, Manuela.


http://univisionnews.tumblr.com/post/24490711762/uruguay-poorest-president

In Nigeria they will tell you that they don't give a damn about declaring their assets.

Now this is a leader, hopefully this thread will make it to the front page.

this is how president become the best president not by ad in blogs and social circle - I swear by Edwin Clark jonah will not give a damn after reading dis...Buhari is the man I swear up!

Is this for real?...how can a president be living in a farmhouse, What about d state house? How can a president be riding on a beetle with no escort or bodyguard?....i so don't belive it.

Our leaders must be thinking - what a Mumu . . . . but the guy will be remembered and loved by his people forever.

I hope I become as humble as that Presido - and hope I never become as backward as ours.

2 million: Is this for real?...how can a president be living in a farmhouse, What about d state house? How can a president be riding on a beetle with no escort or bodyguard?....i so don't belive it.

its common knowledge that presidents of countries are supposed to be rich that is very rich, but one who choose to share like him becomes a shinning example to others of what true leadership is about.

True leader - he cares and sympathizes for the needy in his small country. African leaders can learn from this.

The other day, the former Prime Minsiter vacated his office on bicycle and went to the subway....whites no too get wahala...na d blacks...na we dey use Samsung IV, BB head lamp, Iplasma, and the likes....even to cars....always wanna be on top!

add value to life

Great leader, better man. Indubitably the genuine article.

African leaders should learn from this.

His humble lifestyle is reflected by his choice of an aging Volkswagen Beetle[22] as transport, his only asset.[23] His wife owns the farm they live on. The Economist describes him as "a roly-poly former guerrilla who grows flowers on a small farm and swears by vegetarianism"[24]. He also donates 87% of his state salary to charitable causes.[25] He does not believe in God

damola1: His humble lifestyle is reflected by his choice of an aging Volkswagen Beetle[22] as transport, his only asset.[23] His wife owns the farm they live on. The Economist describes him as "a roly-poly former guerrilla who grows flowers on a small farm and swears by vegetarianism"[24]. He also donates 87% of his state salary to charitable causes.[25] [size=18pt]He does not believe in God[/size]

Meanwhile every third word out of our own President's mouth is GOD, every fourth word is JESUS and every fifth and sixth word is PRAY yet there is nothing charitable about him.

Say aren't we due for another publicity picture showing him on his knees as one of them high flying pastors pray for him?! I think we are!!

With "Christians" like our president and his ilk. . . it is any wonder some people are turning away from the idea of God?

People that have God's fear helps people with their wealth. This sets of people do not attach much relevance to their wealth unlike my con3 Nigeria where d politician are too greedy, selfish and hopeless. Their is always this fear that have pervaded them of not wanting to loose their class. A rich Nigerian always tinks about himself, his imidiate family and his children yet un-born hence, the atitudinal culture of storing and acumulating wealth 4 generations yet un-born

.

That president is a man of God and Nigerian leaders should learn from him if they want peace in their life.

If they will even use their allowances to help the people, it will be better.

Who is charity and why does he give her all those money?
#cheating-husband!

[size=19pt] Our first lady would rather donate her family on behalf of 1 million naira...[/size]

r231:
In a recent interview, Mujica told Spain’s El Mundo that he earns a salary of $12,500 a month, but only keeps $1,250 for himself, donating the rest to charity.

Funny he keeps his 'tithe' and gives out the rest. He's not religious, in fact doesn't believe in God.

The Nigerian Christians who have nothing better to do would say 'He's a witch. You know where him dey get im money from. Hw u use know?'

I think some people need to read up the GOOD SAMARITAN parable again, and reflect on it. Then ponder..

There's no big deal in whether or not a president donates his salary to charity. What really matters is whether or not he's delivering to his people.
No rule has made it mandatory for presidents to set aside their salaries for charity. So, it's really no big deal.

ujchief: Who is charity and why does he give her all those money?
#cheating-husband!

Lol. People won't just stop extracting humor from anything. A crazy joke anyway.

I remember when this was done in Nigeria. Sorry, I mean, I remember the response when this was done in Nigeria.

On NTA News it was reported that Babangida would donate half his salary to xyz (can't remember the charity) and my relative goes (paraphrasing) yeah right. The money he steals is several times his salary.

(The Head of State's salary was never made public back when the military ruled Nigeria).

acidosis™:
[size=19pt] Our first lady would rather donate her family on behalf of 1 million naira...[/size]

lol...............

Though donating 90% of his salary shows how he cares a lot, it does not mean that there would be development.
What I really commended him for is the corruption free nation that he runs and also the development his administration has brought to his country.
Weldone Mr Presido, keep on the good work.

ujchief: Who is charity and why does he give her all those money?
#cheating-husband!

A tread like this should not be joke with. It's a serious matter.

All those of you that are running your mouths saying African leaders this .. Nigerian leaders that..., can any of you swear that he/she can behave like this Uruguayan president when you find yourself in power. Abeg make una leave matter for Mathias joo.

This is the person dat deserve the name 'peoples servant' and not Gov. Babangida of Niger state. He's deceiving his people with the slogan (people's servant) while he loots in billions. Where is Obasanjo, Tinibu, Ibb, Edwin Clark, Tony aninih, and the rest. See wat your mate( difrns in age will nt be upto five or ten years) is doing to his country instead of you guys to do same bt you prefer playin the of evil father, party leader, n so on.

[quote author=iykak47]All those of you that are running your mouths saying African leaders this .. Nigerian leaders that..., can any of you swear that he/she can behave like this Uruguayan president when you find yourself in power. Abeg make una leave matter for Mathias joo.[/quo You are the type dat can give bad advise to leaders when opportune. You are the carbon copy of those misleading Mr president with bad advise.

GEJ can never donate 1% of his salary, or allowance, to charity. He is planning on taking the money to heaven!

GEJ'S RESPONSE- I DON'T GIVE A DAMN.