Pepe Mujica.

José Mujica José Alberto Mujica Cordano

Pepe Mujica — Actor

Born 20 May 1935 Montevideo, Uruguay

Died 13 May 2025 Montevideo, Uruguay

Citizenship Uruguay

Would Be 91 yr If Living

8 min read

Reading time

1,483

Words

Jun 6, 2026

Published

21

Film credits

2

Books

11

Awards

TL;DR

Pepe Mujica served as President of Uruguay from 2010 to 2015, legalizing abortion and same-sex marriage. He also appeared in documentaries such as El Pepe: a Supreme Life 2019. Imprisoned for 12 years under the military dictatorship, he adopted an austere lifestyle and became a global symbol of simplicity.

Identity & family.

KIN · 1

Names, aliases, and relatives of Pepe Mujica — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name José Alberto Mujica Cordano

Native Name José Mujica

Nicknames El Pepe

SPOUSES: Lucia Topolansky

At a glance.

STATS

Pepe Mujica by the numbers — life, work, and family.

89 Years lived

21 Film credits

2 Books

11 Awards

1 Marriage

Who was Pepe Mujica?

BIOGRAPHY

Pepe Mujica — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Pepe Mujica lost his father at age seven. His mother Lucy Cordano raised him and his younger sister in Montevideo on a modest income. He joined the Tupamaros, a left-wing guerrilla group, and his early political activism grew from these experiences.

Career

He joined the Tupamaros and was imprisoned from 1973 to 1985. After his release, he entered mainstream politics and was elected President in 2010, serving until 2015. During his presidency, he legalized abortion and same-sex marriage and reformed industry, energy, and education.

As an actor, he appeared as himself in documentaries and films such as El Pepe: a Supreme Life 2019, Lo De ÉVole 2020, and Tupamaros 1997.

Personal life

He married Lucia Topolansky, a fellow politician. They lived on a farm outside Montevideo, where he donated most of his salary to charity. His three-legged dog Manuela is buried on the farm; his last wish was to be buried there as well.

Legacy

Time Magazine named Pepe Mujica one of the 100 Most Influential People in 2014. His life story was adapted into the 2018 film A Twelve-Year Night. He is remembered for his civil rights achievements and his model of simple governance.

Filmography.

FILMS · 21

Browse the complete filmography of Pepe Mujica — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

Mentiras Verdaderas

2011
TV

Lo De ÉVole

2020
TV

Conversa Com Bial

2017
Movie

El Pepe: a Supreme Life

2019
TV

Poder & Verdad

2021
Movie

Get the Weed

2017
Movie

In the Same Boat

2016
Movie

Latinoamérica, Territorio En Disputa

2019
Movie

Partida

2019
Movie

Via Celestina

2019
Movie

Amérique Latine, L'année De Tous Les Dangers

2019
Movie

Chavismo: the Plague of the 21St Century

2018
Movie

Delicate Balance

2016
Movie

Tupamaros

1997

Could not load more credits.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 10

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Pepe Mujica — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

National Order of Merit
Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Sun of Peru
National Order of San Lorenzo
Grand Cross of Order of Manuel Amador Guerrero
Poetry in the Laurel
Order of the Flag of Republika Srpska
Medal of Honor of the Congress of the Republic of Peru
Order of the Liberator General San Martín
Order of the Aztec Eagle
Order of Francisco Morazán

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 2

Pepe Mujica's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

Charlando Con Pepe Mujica

by José Alberto Mujica Cordano
Amazon

José Mujica En Sus Palabras

by José Alberto Mujica Cordano

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 1

A wall of memorable lines from Pepe Mujica — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

We’ve Been Repressing Drugs for 80 Years and It Doesn’t Work. Drug Trafficking Is Much Worse Than the Consumption of Marijuana. and for Those Who Don’t Want to Admit That, Look at Mexico, Look at Central America, Look at Honduras, Look at Guatemala, and You Will See Failed States, Devoured from the Inside by Drug Trafficking. the Problem Is That, Alongside Drug Trafficking, Giant Systems Have Been Built to Fight It. the State Has a Number of Pathologies, and One of Them Is That Whoever Is Performing a Task Starts Thinking That That Task Is the Center of the World. Everyone Wants to Look in the Mirror and Think That Their Job Is Socially Essential. Instead of Repression, I Need Doctors to Deal with This Filth!

Did you know?

FACTS · 8

Little-known facts about Pepe Mujica — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Time Magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in April 2014.
His father died when he was seven, leaving his mother Lucy Cordano to raise him and his younger sister.
His last wish was to be buried at his farm, where his three-legged dog Manuela also rests.
After his presidency, he served as Senator from 2015 to 2020, and again from 2020 until his death in 2025.
He became known for his activism and support for peace and civil rights.
From 1973 to 1985 he was a political prisoner after Uruguay’s military coup, held in strict isolation; his long imprisonment was adapted into the film A Twelve-Year Night 2018.
Elected President of Uruguay in 2010, he served until 2015 at the age of 75.
During his presidency, he legalized abortion and same-sex marriage, and made deep social changes in industry, energy, and education.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 35

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Pepe Mujica.

When was Pepe Mujica born?

Pepe Mujica was born on May 20, 1935 in Montevideo, Uruguay. He was the son of Lucy Cordano and grew up after his father’s early death.
Where was Pepe Mujica born?

He was born in Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay. Montevideo is located on the southern coast of the country along the Rio de la Plata.
When did Pepe Mujica die?

Pepe Mujica died on May 13, 2025 at the age of 89. He passed away at his farm in Rincón del Cerro, Montevideo, Uruguay.
How old was Pepe Mujica when he died?

He was 89 years old at the time of his death. He passed away just one week before his 90th birthday.
Where did Pepe Mujica die?

He died at his farm in Rincón del Cerro, a neighborhood in Montevideo, Uruguay. The farm was his beloved home for many years.
How did Pepe Mujica die?

Pepe Mujica died from esophageal cancer. He had been battling the disease and spent his final days at his farm.
What was Pepe Mujica's real name?

His birth name was José Alberto Mujica Cordano. He was commonly known as Pepe Mujica or simply El Pepe.
What is Pepe Mujica's name in his native language?

In Spanish, his name is José Mujica. The nickname Pepe is a common diminutive for José in Spanish-speaking countries.
What does Pepe Mujica do for a living?

He was an actor and politician. He served as President of Uruguay from 2010 to 2015 and appeared in several documentaries.
What nationality is Pepe Mujica?

He was Uruguayan. He was born in Montevideo and lived most of his life in Uruguay.
Who is Pepe Mujica married to?

He was married to Lucia Topolansky, a fellow politician who also served as Vice President of Uruguay. They were married from 2005 until his death.
What awards has Pepe Mujica won?

He received many awards including the National Order of Merit, the Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Sun of Peru, and the Order of the Aztec Eagle. He was also named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2014.
How many awards has Pepe Mujica won?

He won 11 major awards. These include honors from Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, and Mexico.
What is Pepe Mujica best known for?

He is best known for serving as President of Uruguay from 2010 to 2015 and for his film appearances in El Pepe: a Supreme Life and Lo De ÉVole.
How tall was Pepe Mujica?

Pepe Mujica was 5 feet 6 inches 1.68 meters tall.
What is the origin of Pepe Mujica's nickname 'El Pepe'?

The nickname El Pepe is a common Spanish diminutive for José. It is used affectionately by Uruguayans and people around the world to refer to him.
What was Pepe Mujica's height?

He stood 5 feet 6 inches tall, or 1.68 meters.
What was Pepe Mujica known for?

He was known for being a Uruguayan politician and actor. He appeared in films such as Tupamaros 1997, In the Same Boat 2016, and El Pepe: a Supreme Life 2019.
Was Pepe Mujica married?

Yes, he was married to Lucia Topolansky. They were political partners and lived together on a farm outside Montevideo.
What did Pepe Mujica do as president?

As president, he legalized abortion and same-sex marriage. He also implemented reforms in industry, energy, and education.
How long was Pepe Mujica in prison?

He was a political prisoner for 12 years, from 1973 to 1985. He was held in strict isolation under the military dictatorship.
Does Pepe Mujica have a three-legged dog?

Yes, he had a three-legged dog named Manuela. The dog became well known and is buried at his farm.
What film is based on Pepe Mujica's imprisonment?

His 12-year imprisonment was adapted into the 2018 film A Twelve-Year Night. The film depicts his time in solitary confinement.
How did Pepe Mujica become an actor?

He appeared as himself in documentaries about his life and politics. His first film credit was in Tupamaros 1997.
What is Pepe Mujica's last wish?

His last wish was to be buried at his farm, where his beloved dog Manuela also rests. He wanted a simple burial.
What is the name of Pepe Mujica's wife?

His wife’s name is Lucia Topolansky. She is a politician who served as Vice President of Uruguay.
What was Pepe Mujica's occupation?

He was an actor and politician. He served as President of Uruguay and also appeared in films.
When did Pepe Mujica become president?

He was elected President of Uruguay in 2010 and served until 2015. He was 75 years old when he took office.
What did Pepe Mujica die of?

He died from esophageal cancer. He had been undergoing treatment but eventually succumbed to the disease.
Where is Pepe Mujica buried?

He was buried at his farm in Rincón del Cerro, Montevideo, as was his wish.
What is the significance of Pepe Mujica's three-legged dog?

His three-legged dog Manuela became a symbol of his humility and love for animals. The dog often appeared with him in public.
How many films did Pepe Mujica appear in?

He appeared in several films, mostly documentaries. Notable ones include El Pepe: a Supreme Life and In the Same Boat.
What was Pepe Mujica's political party?

He was a member of the Broad Front, a left-wing coalition in Uruguay. He also co-founded the Movement of Popular Participation.
What is a notable quote from Pepe Mujica?

He often said, I am not poor, I am austere. This reflected his simple lifestyle and rejection of materialism.
Did Pepe Mujica have children?

The source record does not mention any children. There is no information about him having children.

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Audited & updated by

Emma has 8 years of editorial experience and a very clear idea of what a good biography looks like. At Famousy, she runs the editorial operation and decides what meets the bar and what doesn't. She's the kind of editor who remembers the profiles she pushed back on more clearly than the ones she approved. That's not a complaint. That's exactly why the site reads the way it does.

Published on June 6, 2026

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