Biography
Javier Gerardo Milei (born 22 October 1970) is an Argentine politician and economist who became the 59th president of Argentina in 2023. Born in Buenos Aires, he attended Colegio Cardenal Copello before earning an economics degree from the University of Belgrano. He also received master's degrees from the Institute of Social and Economic Development (IDES) and Torcuato di Tella University, building a solid foundation in economic theory.
Milei started his career teaching macroeconomics while becoming well-versed in libertarian economic philosophy. He gained public attention in the 2010s through regular TV appearances, where he became known for strongly criticizing Argentina's political establishment and pushing for sweeping economic reforms. He stood out for his flamboyant personality, unique style, and his trademark catchphrase "¡Viva la libertad, carajo!" which became a part of his political image.
In 2021, Milei moved from being a media figure to an elected official, winning a seat in the Argentine Chamber of Deputies for Buenos Aires City with his party La Libertad Avanza. As a deputy, he mainly criticized Argentina's political elite and their fiscal policies instead of focusing on traditional legislative work. He famously donated his congressional salary through monthly raffles and vowed never to raise taxes.
Milei's presidential campaign in 2023 focused on drastic economic reforms, including plans to dollarize Argentina's economy and majorly cut government spending. He beat incumbent economy minister Sergio Massa in the runoff election by tapping into widespread dissatisfaction with traditional political parties and the ongoing economic crisis. He directly blamed Kirchnerism's influence for Argentina's monetary troubles and called for a complete overhaul of the country's fiscal policies. Since taking office, he has received international praise, winning awards such as the Order of Liberty, Juan de Mariana Award, and Hayek Medal in 2024, and later the Genesis Prize and was named in Time 100 in 2025.
Before Fame
Milei's rise began in academia, where he worked as a macroeconomics professor after earning his advanced degrees. Early on, he focused on Austrian school economics and libertarian philosophy, which later shaped his political beliefs. During this time, he became knowledgeable in monetary theory and free-market ideas.
In the 2010s, he moved from academic anonymity to public recognition through TV appearances as an economic commentator. His strong support for free-market policies and sharp criticism of Argentina's interventionist economic strategies struck a chord with audiences tired of ongoing inflation and economic problems. His media presence paved the way for his political career.
Key Achievements
- Elected 59th President of Argentina in 2023, defeating incumbent economy minister Sergio Massa
- Won seat in Argentine Chamber of Deputies representing Buenos Aires in 2021
- Rose to national prominence as influential economic commentator and television pundit in 2010s
- Received multiple international awards including Order of Liberty, Hayek Medal, and Genesis Prize
- Founded and led La Libertad Avanza party to electoral success
Did You Know?
- 01.He donated his entire national deputy salary through monthly public raffles while serving in Congress
- 02.His catchphrase "¡Viva la libertad, carajo!" became a rallying cry for his political movement
- 03.He received the Hayek Medal in 2024, named after Austrian economist Friedrich Hayek
- 04.Before politics, he worked as a radio personality in addition to his television appearances
- 05.He was selected for Time 100 in 2025, recognizing his global influence as a world leader
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Order of Liberty | 2024 | — |
| Juan de Mariana Award | 2024 | — |
| Hayek Medal | 2024 | — |
| Genesis Prize | 2025 | — |
| Time 100 | 2025 | — |