This is José Mujica. He is currently the president of Uruguay and is known for being a rarity among powerful politicians. He has chosen to donate around 90% of his $12,000 monthly salary to charities that benefit poor people and small entrepreneurs.
A guerrilla fighter for Tupamaros (a “Robin Hood” organization that stole from the rich and gave to the poor), he was imprisoned twice, kept in horrible conditions, escapted once, and was only apprehended after being shot six times by the police. He was released fourteen years later when a constitutional democracy was restored to the country.
His only protection are two guards positioned on his road (required by the government) and his three-legged dog, Manuela.
Under his presidency, Uruguay has legalized marijuana and same-sex marriage while also enacting one of the region’s most sweeping abortion rights laws and sharply boosting the use of renewable energy sources like wind and biomass.
He does not like to be called the world’s poorest president, stating that, “It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more…who is poor.”
This man is leading by example. It is clear that power has not corrupted him. He leads for his people. We need more world leaders like him.
