The World's "poorest" President

[EmilyAnn]

Just something I read this morning and thought was interesting.

[url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20243493"]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20243493[/url]



[quote]

It's a common grumble that politicians' lifestyles are far removed from those of their electorate. Not so in Uruguay. Meet the president - who lives on a ramshackle farm and gives away most of his pay.

Laundry is strung outside the house. The water comes from a well in a yard, overgrown with weeds. Only two police officers and Manuela, a three-legged dog, keep watch outside.

This is the residence of the president of Uruguay, Jose Mujica, whose lifestyle clearly differs sharply from that of most other world leaders.

President Mujica has shunned the luxurious house that the Uruguayan state provides for its leaders and opted to stay at his wife's farmhouse, off a dirt road outside the capital, Montevideo.

The president and his wife work the land themselves, growing flowers.

This austere lifestyle - and the fact that Mujica donates about 90% of his monthly salary, equivalent to $12,000 (£7,500), to charity - has led him to be labelled the poorest president in the world.


[/quote]

[BigJon16]

It seems that he is actually the Richest President in the world.

[Archaeology cat]

Well said, BigJon

[EmilyAnn]

[quote name='BigJon16' timestamp='1352984321' post='2510479']
It seems that he is actually the Richest President in the world.
[/quote]

Yes, well said. More people could take some inspiration.

[dominicansoul]

if only America can find someone as humble as this guy... he probably wouldn't be elected, though....

[AngelofJesus]

He's a leftist who wants to legalize marijuana. Not sure about that though.

[PhuturePriest]

Very cool guy.

[dominicansoul]

oh, that's too bad