Meet The World Poorest President, Who Still Drives A Beettle Car

Whenever the price of premium motor spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol, is to be increased, the people in charge will readily point in the direction of other oil producing countries that pay more for the commodity than we do. But do they ever show us example of leaders that don’t live flamboyantly and extravagantly on state resources like they do? Our public officials should be burying their heads in shame!

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 world wide 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”.

The President said in a recent interview that 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.”

I just had to cut-in to lay emphasis on that last line! How many Nigerian leaders can say and do so truthfully without dipping their hands into the public till when no one is watching? Food for thought! Continue reading…

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.