Uruguay’s leader declares $322,883 in wealth
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay — Uruguayan President Jose Mujica has declared $322,883 in wealth.
Mujica’s insistence on living simply has earned him the nickname “the poorest president in the world,” but his sworn declaration this year shows a 74 percent increase in wealth since 2012. He said that’s because he didn’t put his money, about $104,000, into bank accounts until recently.
The president, who rarely dons a tie and drives an old Volkswagen Beetle, still lives on a ramshackle flower farm with his wife, Sen. Lucia Topolansky. His report valued the farm at about $108,000. They share ownership in two other properties.
When it comes to wheels, Mujica has three tractors and his two 1987 Beetles. The VWs together are worth about $4,750.
Uruguay’s 42,000 public officials have to make sworn wealth declarations every two years, but only the top two are required to make them public.
Article continues after this advertisementVice President Daniel Astori says he’s worth $389,000.
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