Timeline
Born on 22 October in Palermo, Buenos Aires.
Stopped playing goalkeeper for Chacarita Juniors to focus on economics.
Rose to public prominence as a television pundit.
Elected to the Argentine Chamber of Deputies.
Defeated Sergio Massa in the presidential election.
Assumed office as President of Argentina.
La Libertad Avanza won a plurality in the legislative elections.
Biography
Javier Gerardo Milei, born 22 October 1970 in Buenos Aires, is an Argentine politician and economist who has served as the President of Argentina since 2023. He previously served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies from 2021 to 2023. Milei rose to public prominence in the 2010s as a vocal pundit, criticizing the Argentine political establishment. In 2021, he was elected to the Chamber of Deputies for La Libertad Avanza. He won the 2023 presidential election, defeating incumbent economy minister Sergio Massa. Since taking office, Milei has focused on stabilizing Argentina's economy through spending cuts, deregulation, and monetary restraint, achieving a fiscal surplus and a sharp fall in inflation. Described as a right-wing populist and libertarian, he supports laissez-faire economics and is known for his flamboyant personality and strong media presence.
Early Life & Background
Javier Milei was born on 22 October 1970 in Palermo, Buenos Aires, to Norberto Milei and Alicia Lucich. He grew up in Villa Devoto and Sáenz Peña. His mother was a homemaker, and his father was a bus driver who later became a successful businessman. Milei is of paternal Italian and maternal Croatian and Italian descent. He revealed in 2024 that his grandfather, a significant influence, was Jewish from matrilineal descent. Milei reported childhood abuse, leading to a decade-long estrangement from his parents, whom he later regarded as dead. He was supported by his maternal grandmother and sister Karina. He attended Catholic schools, where he was nicknamed "el Loco." In his youth, he sang in a cover band and played goalkeeper for Chacarita Juniors until 1989, when hyperinflation spurred his interest in economics. He worked for 15 years as chief economist at Corporación América.
Education
Javier Milei attended Catholic schools, including the Cardenal Copello secondary school. He pursued higher education at the University of Belgrano, where he obtained a degree in economics. Following his undergraduate studies, Milei undertook postgraduate coursework at the Instituto de Desarrollo Económico y Social. He also pursued postgraduate coursework at Torcuato di Tella University. However, neither of these postgraduate programs resulted in a completed degree. His interest in economics began in the early 1980s, influenced by Argentina's hyperinflation.
Political & Professional Career
Javier Milei rose to public prominence in the 2010s as a television pundit, known for his strong language and criticism of the Argentine political establishment. He was a member of Avanza Libertad from 2020 to 2021. In July 2021, he established the coalition La Libertad Avanza, which secured third place in the 2021 legislative election. Milei was elected to the Argentine Chamber of Deputies in 2021, representing the City of Buenos Aires, serving until 2023. As a deputy, he limited legislative activities, focusing on critiquing the political elite and high government spending, pledging not to raise taxes, and raffling his salary. He defeated incumbent economy minister Sergio Massa in the second round of the 2023 presidential election, assuming office as President of Argentina in 2023. His presidency has focused on economic stabilization through spending cuts and deregulation. La Libertad Avanza won a plurality in the 2025 legislative elections.
Key Achievements & Legacy
Elected President of Argentina in 2023., Achieved Argentina's first fiscal surplus since 2008 during his presidency., Oversaw a sharp fall in inflation during his presidency., Elected to the Argentine Chamber of Deputies in 2021., La Libertad Avanza won a plurality in the 2025 legislative elections under his leadership.