Earning Respect: A tribute to José Mujica
PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP via Getty Images
It is with deep admiration and gratitude that I offer this tribute to José Mujica — a man whose life, convictions, and simple dignity touched not only Uruguay, but the world.
Born in 1935 near Montevideo, Mujica’s early life was rooted in humble beginnings. His journey took him through turbulent decades: from a young political activist and guerrilla fighter, imprisoned for many years under Uruguay’s military dictatorship, to his emergence as a democratic leader. He became President of Uruguay from 2010 to 2015, leading a small nation with big dreams.
What set Mujica apart was not just what he did — though that was significant — but how he did it.
When he assumed office at the age of 74, he declared a net worth of just $1,800. He chose to remain in his modest farmhouse — owned by his wife — instead of the official presidential residence, preferring to live among ordinary people rather than above them. He drove a weather-worn 1987 Volkswagen Beetle instead of a luxury car. He donated most of his presidential salary to charity and viewed political service as a duty, not a privilege.
Under his leadership, Uruguay enacted a series of progressive reforms: legalising same-sex marriage, expanding abortion rights, regulating cannabis production, and investing in renewable energy.
Mujica’s life reminds us that leadership and humanity need not be at odds. His example gave hope — that power can be exercised humbly, that politics can serve people rather than itself, and that the true measure of a life lies not in accumulation, but in contribution.
I have always remembered his words of wisdom:
“My goal is to achieve a little less injustice in Uruguay, to help the most vulnerable, and to leave behind a political way of thinking — a way of looking at the future that others can carry forward. There is nothing short-term, no victory around the corner. I will not achieve paradise or anything like that. What I want is to fight for the common good, to make progress. Life slips by, and the way to prolong it is for others to continue your work.”
He also believed that the greatest wealth is time and the freedom to be with others, once saying:
“Live as you think — or you’ll end up thinking as you live.”
Across Latin America and beyond, his passing on 13 May 2025, at the age of 89, inspired outpourings of gratitude and reflection.
José Mujica leaves us with a moral compass. In times when cynicism often rules, his life stands as a beacon — politics grounded in everyday reality, leadership rooted in humility, and hope founded on humanity.