José Mujica

Jose is married to Lucia Topolansky. They have no children. The humble politician is known for his simple lifestyle and donates 90% of his Presidential salary to the needy. He also refused to live in the presidential palace, preferring his humble farm instead.

José Alberto "Pepe" Mujica Cordano was born on May 20, 1935 in Montevideo, Uruguay. His father, Demetrio Mujica, was a Basque and his mother, Lucy Cordano, a descendent of Italian immigrants.

When Jose was 5 years old, his father went bankrupt. A few months later he died, leaving the family in dire straits. Alberto was forced to work delivering goods for a local bakery.

Jose was an avid cyclist when he was a teenager. He raced for several different bicycle clubs.

In 1966, Mujica joined the MLN-Tumpamaros, an armed revolutionary group. Three years later, he led a squad of MLN guerillas in the mission to take over the city of Pando.

In 1970, he was shot six times by police. He was expected to die in the hospital but made a miraculous recovery.

In 1971, he was arrested for his involvement in revolutionary activities but escaped from prison. He was quickly re-arrested but managed to escape again the following year.

Mujica spent the next 13 years in prison. While imprisoned he faced numerous atrocities and at one point he was held in a watering trough. He also spent several years in solitary confinement.

In 1985, a new amnesty law freed thousands of prisoners. Mujica was among the liberated prisoners.

On August 16, 2010, he was awarded the ‘Grand Collar of the National Order of Merit’, the highest order of merit in Paraguay.

On January 25, 2011, he was conferred upon the ‘Grand Collar of the Order of the Sun’, the highest order of merit in Peru.

On January 28, 2014, Mujica was awarded the ‘Order of the Aztec Eagle’, the highest award in Mexico.

On December 4, 2014, El Pepe was awarded the ‘National Order of San Lorenzo’, the highest award in Ecuador.