Meet World’s Poorest President Who Drives a Volkswagen Beetle and Donating 90% of His Salary to Charitable Causes

Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions. A good leader is one who places himself at the service of the nation; people make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders grab hold of the opportunity to change things for the better. 

President of Uruguay, José Mujica is a living proof of humility in service, a beacon of hope that indeed, leadership is still all about service to the people not self. President José Mujica is getting worldwide recognition and respect for donating 90 percent (not slashing ‘25%’) of his earnings to charitable causes.

He has earned what most people would call an enviable reputation as the “poorest,” or the “most generous,” president in the world. His nickname, “el presidente mas pobre” translates to “poorest president”.

In a recent interview, the President said the only big item he owns is his Volkswagen Beetle car, valued at $1,945 dollars (about N308, 283) . He earns a salary of $12,500 a month (N1, 981,250), but only keeps $1,250(N198, 125) for himself, donating the rest to charity.

He lives in a farmhouse which is under his wife’s name, Lucía Topolansky, a Senator, who also donates part of her salary.

The 77 year-old who has been Uruguay’s president since March 1, 2010 told El Mundo, “I do fine with that amount; I have to do fine because there are many Uruguayans who live with much less.”

It was also reported that under his stewardship, Uruguay has become known for low levels of corruption. The South American country ranks as the second least corrupt country in Latin America in Transparency International’s global corruption index.

Yahoo News reported that the President has no bank accounts, no debts, and he enjoys the companionship of his dog ‘Manuela’. When his term is over, the President hopes to rest even more peacefully in his farmhouse, along with his wife and his inseparable dog.

How many Nigerian leaders can say and do so truthfully without dipping their hands into the public fund? Our public officials should be burying their heads in shame!