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The life and career of José Mujica, in images

The former president of Uruguay and Latin American leader died at his ranch near Montevideo at the age of 89

El País

May 13, 2025 - 22:39CEST

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José Mujica in costume at a school festival at the age of five. — José Mujica in costume at a school festival at the age of five.Cortesía de la familia.

A publication dated May 15, 1949, advertising the talents of the young José Mujica as a pianist at his school in Montevideo. — A publication dated May 15, 1949, advertising the talents of the young José Mujica as a pianist at his school in Montevideo.Cortesía de la familia.

José Mujica at the age of 20. — José Mujica at the age of 20. Cortesía de la familia.

José Mujica with two friends in his youth. — José Mujica with two friends in his youth. Cortesía de la familia.

José Mujica and his wife Lucía Topolansky during the funeral of Raúl Sendic, May 7, 1989. — José Mujica and his wife Lucía Topolansky during the funeral of Raúl Sendic, May 7, 1989.Cortesía de la familia.

The last Tupamaro prisoners after their release in 1985. In the front row (from left), José Mujica, the son of Adolfo Wassen (who died in prison), Mauricio Rosencof, Jorge Zabalza, Julio Marenales and Eleuterio Fernández Huidobro. — The last Tupamaro prisoners after their release in 1985. In the front row (from left), José Mujica, the son of Adolfo Wassen (who died in prison), Mauricio Rosencof, Jorge Zabalza, Julio Marenales and Eleuterio Fernández Huidobro.Cyro Giambruno (Centro Municipal de Fotografía de Montevideo)

José Mujica joven — José Mujica spent 13 years in prison as a political prisoner for belonging to the National Liberation Movement (MLN). He was released from prison on March 14, 1985.

José Mujica — Uruguayan President José Mujica's voter registration document is shown at a polling station during the country's general elections, in Montevideo, Uruguay, Oct. 26, 2014. Mujica led Uruguay to economic prosperity and gained worldwide recognition for social reforms such as the legalization of marijuana.Natacha Pisarenko (AP)

José Mujica during an interview in his congressional office in Montevideo, November 26, 1999. In the background is a portrait of Raul Sendic, the late founder of the Tupamaro guerrilla movement. — José Mujica during an interview in his congressional office in Montevideo, November 26, 1999. In the background is a portrait of Raul Sendic, the late founder of the Tupamaro guerrilla movement.EDUARDO DI BAIA (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Then presidential candidate of the ruling Frente Amplio party, José Mujica, speaks at a public event, Oct. 25, 2009. — Then presidential candidate of the ruling Frente Amplio party, José Mujica, speaks at a public event, Oct. 25, 2009.Iván Franco (EFE)

The then presidential candidate for the Frente Amplio casts his vote in the presidential elections of October 25, 2009, in Montevideo, Uruguay. — The then presidential candidate for the Frente Amplio casts his vote in the presidential elections of October 25, 2009, in Montevideo, Uruguay.Matilde Campodonico (AP/ LaPresse)

Mujica celebrates his victory in Uruguay's presidential elections in Montevideo, Nov. 29, 2009. — Mujica celebrates his victory in Uruguay's presidential elections in Montevideo, Nov. 29, 2009.Natacha Pisarenko (AP/ LaPresse)

José Mujica picks flowers from his orchards on May 21, 2010, in Montevideo. — José Mujica picks flowers from his orchards on May 21, 2010, in Montevideo.Getty Images

José Mujica and his wife Lucia Topolansky walk on their farm near Montevideo on February 28, 2010. — José Mujica and his wife Lucia Topolansky walk on their farm near Montevideo on February 28, 2010.Enríque García Medina

Uruguayan President José Mujica during a lunch with businessmen at the Conrad Hotel in Punta del Este on October 8, 2010. — Uruguayan President José Mujica during a lunch with businessmen at the Conrad Hotel in Punta del Este on October 8, 2010.Magdalena Gutiérrez (Picture Alliance/Dpa/Cordon Press)

José Mujica talks with his Brazilian counterpart Dilma Rousseff in the Uruguayan capital on May 30, 2011. — José Mujica talks with his Brazilian counterpart Dilma Rousseff in the Uruguayan capital on May 30, 2011.NICOLÁS CELAYA (Xinhua /Landov /Cordon Press)

Mujica shakes hands with the presidents of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, Argentina, Cristina Kirchner, and Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, before the Mercosur Extraordinary Summit in Brasilia, July 31, 2012. — Mujica shakes hands with the presidents of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, Argentina, Cristina Kirchner, and Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, before the Mercosur Extraordinary Summit in Brasilia, July 31, 2012.Imago/Xinhua/Getty

José Mujica drinks mate during an interview with EL PAÍS at the ambassador's residence in Madrid, May 30, 2013. — José Mujica drinks mate during an interview with EL PAÍS at the ambassador's residence in Madrid, May 30, 2013. Bernardo Pérez

Evo Morales, president of Bolivia; José Mujica, president of Uruguay; Daniel Ortega, president of Nicaragua, and Nicolás Maduro, vice president of Venezuela, during a meeting in support of Hugo Chavez at the Miraflores Presidential Palace on January 10, 2013 in Caracas, Venezuela. — Evo Morales, president of Bolivia; José Mujica, president of Uruguay; Daniel Ortega, president of Nicaragua, and Nicolás Maduro, vice president of Venezuela, during a meeting in support of Hugo Chavez at the Miraflores Presidential Palace on January 10, 2013 in Caracas, Venezuela.Gregorio Marrero (LatinContent/Getty Images)

Uruguayan President José Mujica walks on his farm in Montevideo, June 23, 2008. — Uruguayan President José Mujica walks on his farm in Montevideo, June 23, 2008.Dante Fernández (LatinContent/Getty)

Pope Francis exchanges gifts with Mujica during an audience in his private library on June 1, 2013, in Vatican City. The president was on a two-week international tour that would take him to China, Spain and Italy. — Pope Francis exchanges gifts with Mujica during an audience in his private library on June 1, 2013, in Vatican City. The president was on a two-week international tour that would take him to China, Spain and Italy.Pool/Vaticano/Getty

Uruguayan President José Mujica addresses the UN General Assembly on September 24, 2013, in New York, USA. — Uruguayan President José Mujica addresses the UN General Assembly on September 24, 2013, in New York, USA.Justin Lane (Pool/Getty Images)

Mujica poses with members of the rock band Aerosmith, from left, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, after presenting him with an autographed guitar as a gift at the presidential residence in Montevideo, Uruguay, Oct. 8, 2013. — Mujica poses with members of the rock band Aerosmith, from left, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, after presenting him with an autographed guitar as a gift at the presidential residence in Montevideo, Uruguay, Oct. 8, 2013.Álvaro Salas (Presidencia de Uruguay/AP)

Then U.S. president Barack Obama listens to José Mujica during an official visit of his Uruguayan counterpart to the White House, May 12, 2014. — Then U.S. president Barack Obama listens to José Mujica during an official visit of his Uruguayan counterpart to the White House, May 12, 2014.AP

Mujica bids farewell to the journalists present at the press conference after receiving the Lionheart Award given by the University of Guadalajara, December 6, 2014. — Mujica bids farewell to the journalists present at the press conference after receiving the Lionheart Award given by the University of Guadalajara, December 6, 2014.Saúl Ruiz

King Juan Carlos I of Spain (left) listens to then president José Mujica during a meeting at Zarzuela Palace on May 29, 2013, in Madrid, Spain. — King Juan Carlos I of Spain (left) listens to then president José Mujica during a meeting at Zarzuela Palace on May 29, 2013, in Madrid, Spain.Pool (Getty Images)

Outgoing president Mujica (left) and new president Tabaré Vázquez on stage during the transfer of power ceremony at Plaza Independencia in downtown Montevideo, March 1, 2015. — Outgoing president Mujica (left) and new president Tabaré Vázquez on stage during the transfer of power ceremony at Plaza Independencia in downtown Montevideo, March 1, 2015.Sandro Pereyra (LatinContent/Getty Images)

Cuba's President Raul Castro (center) walks with the José Mujica and his wife, Senator Lucia Topolansky (L); University Students Federation President Jennifer Bello and revolutionary commander Ramiro Valde (R) during a procession to commemorate the 163rd anniversary of the birth of José Martí, hero of Cuba's independence, in Havana, Jan. 27, 2016. — Cuba's President Raul Castro (center) walks with the José Mujica and his wife, Senator Lucia Topolansky (L); University Students Federation President Jennifer Bello and revolutionary commander Ramiro Valde (R) during a procession to commemorate the 163rd anniversary of the birth of José Martí, hero of Cuba's independence, in Havana, Jan. 27, 2016.Desmond Boylan (AP)

José Mujica, left, waves as he receives an honorary doctorate degree from the National University of Panama on Nov. 23, 2017 in Panama City. — José Mujica, left, waves as he receives an honorary doctorate degree from the National University of Panama on Nov. 23, 2017 in Panama City.Arnulfo Franco (AP)

King Juan Carlos talks with José Mujica during the monarch's visit to the farm where Uruguay's former president lives in Montevideo, on March 2, 2015, a day after leaving office. — King Juan Carlos talks with José Mujica during the monarch's visit to the farm where Uruguay's former president lives in Montevideo, on March 2, 2015, a day after leaving office.Dusko Despotovic (Corbis/Getty Images)

The former president of Uruguay José Mujica arrives at Casinet d'Hostafrancs in Barcelona to give a lecture organized by Casa América, on May 31, 2015. — The former president of Uruguay José Mujica arrives at Casinet d'Hostafrancs in Barcelona to give a lecture organized by Casa América, on May 31, 2015.GIANLUCA BATTISTA

The then mayor of Madrid, Manuela Carmena, arrives next to former Uruguayan president José Mujica at a reception in her honor, on January 21, 2016, in Montevideo, Uruguay. — The then mayor of Madrid, Manuela Carmena, arrives next to former Uruguayan president José Mujica at a reception in her honor, on January 21, 2016, in Montevideo, Uruguay.Juan Ignacio Mazzoni (EFE)

Mujica (left) next to then Bolivian President Evo Morales, during a meeting with coca growers' federations in the Chapareel area of Bolivia, June 2, 2016. — Mujica (left) next to then Bolivian President Evo Morales, during a meeting with coca growers' federations in the Chapareel area of Bolivia, June 2, 2016.Anadolu (Getty Images)

José Mújica, with his wife Lucía Topalasnsky, on a visit to the Turkish municipality Odunpazari, on November 2, 2015. — José Mújica, with his wife Lucía Topalasnsky, on a visit to the Turkish municipality Odunpazari, on November 2, 2015. Orhan Karsli (Getty Images)

Then Madrid mayoral hopeful Manuela Carmena during a meeting with former Uruguayan president José Mujica on July 1, 2015. — Then Madrid mayoral hopeful Manuela Carmena during a meeting with former Uruguayan president José Mujica on July 1, 2015.ELVIRA MEGÍAS.

José Mujica greets supporters of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva shortly before visiting him in prison in Curitiba, Brazil, June 21, 2018. — José Mujica greets supporters of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva shortly before visiting him in prison in Curitiba, Brazil, June 21, 2018.picture alliance (picture alliance via Getty Image)

Mujica drives his tractor after his meeting with the one-time deputy mayor of Barcelona (Spain), Argentine Gerardo Pisarello, in Montevideo, Uruguay, Aug. 6, 2018. — Mujica drives his tractor after his meeting with the one-time deputy mayor of Barcelona (Spain), Argentine Gerardo Pisarello, in Montevideo, Uruguay, Aug. 6, 2018.Raúl Martínez (EFE)

Lula da Silva, y el exmandatario de Uruguay José Mujica, en Montevideo. — Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Uruguay's former president José Mujica in Montevideo in June 2023.Ricardo Stuckert (RR SS)

José Mujica acto electoral Uruguay — Mujica, at a press conference on August 27, 2024. The former president of Uruguay presented journalist Blanca Rodríguez as a candidate for the senate for the Movimiento de Participación Popular (MPP).SOFÍA TORRES (EFE)

José Mujica speaks during an event for Democracy and Human Rights Day in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. — José Mujica speaks during an event for Democracy and Human Rights Day in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, Dec. 10, 2021.Sarah Pabst (Bloomberg)

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, center, greets supporters, flanked by José Mujica, left, and São Paulo gubernatorial candidate Fernando Haddad during a campaign rally on October 29, 2022. — Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, center, greets supporters, flanked by José Mujica, left, and São Paulo gubernatorial candidate Fernando Haddad during a campaign rally on October 29, 2022.Matias Delacroix (AP)

José Mujica at a ceremony at the José Martí monument in Havana, Cuba, July 24, 2013. — José Mujica at a ceremony at the José Martí monument in Havana, Cuba, July 24, 2013.Franklin Reyes (AP)

José Mujica and his dog, Manuela, in front of his house on the outskirts of Montevideo, May 2, 2014. — José Mujica and his dog, Manuela, in front of his house on the outskirts of Montevideo, May 2, 2014.Matilde Campodonico (AP)

José Mujica (center), accompanied by his wife Lucía Topolansky, receives the ‘Orden de Boyacá’ from Colombia's President Gustavo Petro (right) in Montevideo, Uruguay, December 5, 2024. — José Mujica (center), accompanied by his wife Lucía Topolansky, receives the ‘Orden de Boyacá’ from Colombia's President Gustavo Petro (right) in Montevideo, Uruguay, December 5, 2024.Mariana Greif (REUTERS)

José Mujica — A portrait of Mujica amidst memorabilia, books, photos and awards, in the library of the former Uruguayan president's home in Montevideo.NATALIA ROVIRA

Uruguay's former president, José Mujica (right), embraces Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on December 5, 2024. Lula da Silva met Mujica to present him with Brazil's National Order of the Southern Cross. — Uruguay's former president, José Mujica (right), embraces Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on December 5, 2024. Lula da Silva met Mujica to present him with Brazil's National Order of the Southern Cross.Federico Gutiérrez (EFE)

Chile's President Gabriel Boric, left, next to Mujica as he speaks to the press at his farm outside Montevideo, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. — Chile's President Gabriel Boric, left, next to Mujica as he speaks to the press at his farm outside Montevideo, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025.Matilde Campodonico (AP)

'Pepe' Mujica during an interview with EL PAÍS at his home, October 31, 2024 in Montevideo. — 'Pepe' Mujica during an interview with EL PAÍS at his home, October 31, 2024 in Montevideo. NATALIA ROVIRA

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