Uruguay’s ‘Poor’ President

By ⋅ November 15, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment
Uruguay's President Jose Mujica (Photo: BBC Mundo)

Uruguay's President Jose Mujica (Photo: BBC Mundo)

Our Geo Quiz is about a politician who’s been called the poorest president in the world.

Jose Mujica is the president of Uruguay. He’s unlike most American politicians. In fact he gives away most of his presidential pay and he lives on a ramshackle farm on the outskirts of the city we’d like you to name.

It’s Uruguay’s capital.

It’s intriguing to consider how this powerful president draws on his humble roots, his experience as former leftist guerrilla, and his reputation as a man of the people, to govern.

But first try to name Uruguay’s capital and most important port along its southern Atlantic Ocean coastline.

BBC Mundo reporter Vladimir Hernandez went to meet the man sometimes called the world’s poorest president at his modest farm on the outskirts of the capital strong>Montevideo, the answer to our Geo Quiz.

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Discussion

14 comments for “Uruguay’s ‘Poor’ President”

  • sherreet

    How heartening to hear of a person of power who’s acting on a set of responsible values. I can only respect President Mujica and appreciate Mr. Hernandez, and regret that the World’s interviewer obviously does neither.  

  • melnmoz

    If only American politicians would lead by such an example! I was shocked to hear the commentator on this show call the president colorful and “poor” immediately after the president himself was angered but such a comment pertaining to his life. Wish I could give away 90% of my salary and be content! It’s a wonder the world is becoming disillusioned with the whole “Western” ideals when they are so shallow, ungratifying, and rediculous. Imagine what the world would look like if everyone held to living simply like this incredible man.

  • Tomas

    El Presidente de Uruguay, Jose Mujica, esta considerado un presidente muy pobre.  Cuando estaba electado, Mujica dijo que iba a dar noventa por ciento de su sueldo al pais y no vive en el palacio del presidente, vive en una hacienda muy humilde en las afueras de Montevideo, el Capatalio de Uruguay.  Pienso que es una cosa noble a hacer, y el hecho que Mujica no piensa que esta pobre es muy bien tambien.  Es un seleccion que Mujica hace, y no se porque es tan loco, pero “El Mundo” piense que es.  Tambien, creo que un presidente necesita vivir en un lugar donde puede communicar con otros oficiales y ayudar las personas del pais mas facil.  La hacienda que vive en no parece como un lugar como eso, y tal vez es la principal razon que su popularidad esta bajando.  Sin embargo, tengo respeto para Mujica y le me gusta. 

  • JorgeD

    Me gusta el idea de Presidente Mujica.  Es un buen ejemplo que todos los lideres deben seguir.  No es necesario dar todo de sus sueldos pero es importante ser generosos y no ser codiciosos.  Todos los politicos en los estados unidos son muy rico y piensan solo de dinero.  Si un politico quiere dar dinero a los pobres, otros lideres llamaria lo un socialista y que no es razonable.  Todos los lideres en el mundo deben aprender de Presidente Mujica.

  • Lorenzo Von Matterhorn

    I only wish that our politicians would follow in the footsteps of Mujica. Mujica is a wholesome and genuine person, he even takes care of a three legged dog! Maybe if more people in power in the United States did things like this we wouldn’t have a national debt of over thirty trillion dollars. 

  • Natalia

    Me gusta que Presidente Mujica haga.  Hay muchos politìcos y Presidente Obama reciben sueldos largos.  Imagen el muchos dinero en el paìs pueden salvar si los politìcos y Presidente Obama continuan como Presidente Mujica.  Los politìcos quieren tomar el dinero de otras personas pero no quieren su dinero.  Mucho politìcos son millionares pero quieren atacar los millionarios y billonarios de negocios cuando no dan su dinero.  No creen un ejemplo como Presidente Mujica.  

  • julia15

    I think that this is a bit odd that a president is living poor. I respect him because he is seeing how the not so wealthy people live their lives. I’ve never heard of a president that would do something like that.

  • julia15

    I think that this is a bit odd that a president is living poor. I respect him because he is seeing how the not so wealthy people live their lives. I’ve never heard of a president that would do something like that.

  • Maria Maria

    President Mujica gives 90% of his own pay to the people and lives a frugal lifestyle and he is happy and content doing that. I find this absolutely amazing.  I would love to see other political figures follow in President Mujica’s example, though maybe not as extreme as he lives, but at least a middle ground between the two. To care for the people a little more and not your pockets.

  • PMG15

    I think that what President Mujica is doing is very different. I’ve never heard of any politicians doing this before, especially a president. I like that he’s deciding to live as the people do and give most of his pay to the people. I think that it takes a lot for someone to do this. I’d like to see more politicians do this.

  • Carmen

    Yo acuerdo con Jorge.  Me gusta el idea de Presidente Mujica.  Ojalá que los políticos en los Estados Unidos eran como el presidente José Mujica.  La idea de regalar que buena parte de su sueldo es sorprendente.  La mayoría de los políticos hagan su trabajo por dinero.  Jose Mujica, es diferente.  José puede ser mala para la mayoría la gente, pero lo que hace con su dinero es grande.  No sé por qué la gente no le gusta, pero me gusta.  Pero no sé lo suficiente sobre él.

  • felipem5816

    Is the man really “poor”? He may not be wealthy by Western standards, but he has a roof over his head and food on the table. The man lives within his means, even if that lifestyle is at the lower end of his means. I appreciate that he is able to donate all that money and charity. I also liked that the commentator asked if he was an effective president, for it was a question that was also on my mind. I can’t say I’m an expert on Uruguayan politics but I assume he was elected as a man who would help the lower class and his chosen lifestyle is a way of showing he can live like them. Perhaps Mitt Romney should have used this method to get elected…  

  • Rosa

    Me gustaría la idea del Presidente Mujica. Ojala que otros personas políticos sigan el ejemplo de él.  El presidente es muy generoso para dar su dinero a otros, y me gusta que él vive en un pueblo pequeño con su esposa.  Mujica es un buen ejemplo por todos, y nosotros necesitamos seguir su ejemplo.  Me gusta que el dinero no se importa para él.

  • Stephanie Johnson

    Yo pienso es un hombre asombroso. No necesita el dinero él hace en la officina. Es simpatico ver un hombre que crea en trabajando por la gente. En los Estados Unidos, los presidentes hace una salaria grande, y mantenerlo. Nadie puede contar la Presidente que es correcto, pero la Presidente de Uruguay es hace un exemplo bueno. Es enseña la gente viver dentro de sus posibilidades.