Jose Mujica: The World’s “Poorest” President
Meet Jose Mujica, globally known as the world’s “poorest” President because he lives a life
of humility, all while leading the country of Uruguay.
Jose “Pepe” Mujica is the guerilla-turned-head of the state that seems to actively tackle
the issues on climate change, economic inequality, marijuana legalization and gay rights. And he
does it all while donning a humble uniform of sandals and simple clothes.
President Mujica has shunned the luxurious house that the Uruguayan state provides for
its leaders and opted to stay at his wife’s farm house, off a dirt road outside the capital,
Montevideo. The President and his wife work the land themselves, growing flowers. Only two
police officers and Manuela, a three-legged dog, keep the watch outside.
As a man who truly cares about his people, he doesn’t take an obscene amount of money
to just act as a politician. He donates about 90% of his $12,000 monthly salary to charities that
benefit poor people and small entrepreneurs.
Instead of acting like he is better that everybody else, the President of a country
wholeheartedly believes that he is like everybody else.
QUESTIONS:
1. Who is known as the world’s “poorest” President?
2. Which country does he lead?
3. What are the issues he is interested with?
4. Who keep watch outside the President’s residence?
5. Why is he considered the world “poorest president”?
6. Cite one proof that he is a philanthropist.
7. Who is described in paragraph 4?
8. Why does he donate about 90% of his monthly salary?
9. Is he a rich president? Prove your answer.
10.Explain in your own words the lasts sentence of the text.
Source: Phil-IRI
