José 'Pepe' Mujica Dies at 89: Former President of Uruguay passes after battle with cancer
Former Uruguayan President, José 'Pepe' Mujica, passed away in his house near Montevideo. Mujica had decided not to continue his cancer treatment.
José 'Pepe' Mujica, the former president of Uruguay, passed away on May 13, 2025, at the age of 89 after a brave fight against esophageal cancer. Known for his commitment to social justice, Mujica’s death marks the loss of one of Latin America's most iconic leaders.
On January, he had publically announced that his cancer had spread to his liver and as a consequence he had decided to stop his treatment and spend his final days with his loved ones at his farm near Montevideo, along with his wife, Lucía Topolansky.
Mujica’s legacy as Uruguay's leader
Mujica was Uruaguay's president from 2010 to 2015. During that time, he implemented reforms which turned him into a progressive leader in Latin America. As president, he legalized the government regulated use of cannabis and LGBTQ+ marriage, making Uruguay the first country in South America to do so.
Mujica legalized same-sex marriage and turn Uruguay into the first South-American country to do so.
While his political achievements were of great renown, they were not as famous as his personal character. His humility and his integrity were world admired, as was the fact that his political principles aligned with his lifestyle and personal values, making him one of the most well-respected leaders around the world.
José 'Pepe' Mujica's life
As president, he pledged to donate 90% of his salary, wanting to live a modest life. However, his political commitment to the country began way before. When he was a 14-year-old, he joined an "anarco group" and was close to several left political parties.
Mujica was also a passionate history, biology and literature reader, which reflected a deep political commitment to Uruguay's most vulnerable places.
