Javier Milei bio, net worth, age, dogs, sister, controversies, family, quotes 2025

Javier Milei's Biography

The flamboyant Argentine politician Javier Milei became famous in his homeland as the "chainsaw economist", "madman", "the wig", "mini-Trump". After dedicating more than 20 years to economics and teaching, he burst onto the political scene in the 2010s, immediately attracting attention with his categorical statements.

The libertarian politician was not afraid to make unpopular proposals and bravely defended his opinion. Javier insisted on strengthening Argentina's ties with the US and Israel instead of Russia, China, and Brazil, legalizing weapons and organ trade, while denying women's right to abortion and the existence of global warming problem. He argued that support for the local currency should be stopped and a transition to the stable US dollar should be made.

In high politics, he was not taken seriously. And in vain - being an outsider, in 2023 Milei easily won first the primary, and then the second round of the presidential elections, becoming the president of Argentina, the first libertarian head of state in world history. In his new position, the politician immediately began to implement quite controversial reforms.

Early Years

Javier Milei was born on October 22, 1970, in Buenos Aires, in the Palermo district. His father was a bus driver and his mother was a homemaker. The family had Italian roots. Later, Javier's father managed to start his own transportation business.

Javier had a troubled relationship with his parents. The household was marked by domestic violence, and he silently endured both verbal and physical abuse. As an adult, he eventually cut ties with his mother and father for a time. Through it all, Javier remained close to his younger sister Karina.

Javier Miley with his sister in childhood

Milei's fiery temper and aggressive nature showed up early in school, earning him the nickname el Loco (The Madman). Alongside school, Javier was a member of the "Chacarita Juniors" football club, where he served as a goalkeeper.

He was also passionate about rock music, building a collection of Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Queen records at home. Milei himself fronted a band called Everest, which primarily covered Rolling Stones songs.

Javier Miley with his parents and sister

In 1989, Javier made a sharp pivot to economics. He told teachers he was determined to pursue finance as a way to fix the damage caused by Economy Minister Jose Alfredo Martínez de Hoz, whose policies had plunged Argentina into hyperinflation.

Academic Career

By the late '90s, Javier Milei had earned an economics degree from the University of Belgrano plus two master's degrees from the Institute of Economic and Social Development and Torcuato Di Tella University. He dove into academia: for nearly the next two decades, Javier taught macroeconomics, growth economics, and microeconomics at universities.

He was invited to lecture not just at Argentina's top universities but at institutions abroad as well. Milei spoke at conferences and authored over 50 academic papers. Somehow, Javier juggled this packed academic schedule alongside a successful corporate career.

Other Achievements

In the early 2000s, he became the chief economist at a private pension company, then at a financial consultancy firm. Later, Miley also worked as a consultant at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.

For the next 15 years, Javier devoted his life to the position of chief economist and financial advisor in a private company owned by billionaire Eduardo Eurnekian.

In 2012, Javier headed the department of economic research at the national analytical center. He was also a member of the International Chamber of Commerce's economic policy group (G20 advisor).

Javier Miley at the Economic Forum (2014)

Miley rose to fame through his frequent media appearances. As a guest expert, he openly criticized the policies of the Argentine authorities. His radical views and eccentric TV behavior—especially his profanity-laced attacks on politicians—resonated with viewers. Show ratings soared, and TV producers couldn't get enough of the outspoken economist.

In 2017, Miley launched his own radio show "Demolishing Myths," later hosting the program "Free Lectern."

Political Career

In 2019, Javier became a member of the Libertarian Party. In 2021, he founded the coalition Freedom Advances (Avanza Libertad) and was elected from it as a deputy of the National Congress of Argentina. The charismatic politician won over voters by raffling off his parliamentary salary to ordinary citizens. Javier promised those who voted for him that he would never vote for either a tax increase or the introduction of new ones.

Javier Miley at the congressional elections (2019)

In 2022, Miley put forward his candidacy for the presidential election. The politician's election campaign was built on criticizing the Argentine government, in particular, the head of state Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, whom he accused of squandering the budget.

At a 2023 rally, Javier brandished a chainsaw, dramatically showing exactly how he'd dismantle Kirchner's administration. For this, he was nicknamed "the economist with a chainsaw".

Views

Milei holds some pretty radical views. Take his three-step solution to Argentina's biggest economic headache - inflation: abolish the Central Bank, stop printing money, and switch to the US dollar and bitcoin.

The Central Bank is the biggest thieves in human history. The national currency has no demand, so its price is zero.

Milei sees another major problem: Argentina's crushing tax burden. He wants to slash government spending by cutting half the ministries - including education and healthcare.

Javier thinks Argentina should allow free carrying of weapons, legalize drugs, and even permit the sale of human organs.

He's skeptical about feminist agendas and human-caused climate change, flat-out denying global warming exists.

Milei wants to ban abortions, which Argentina legalized in 2020. He frames abortion as a property conflict based on ownership rights.

Javier Milei and the Chainsaw

The politician openly criticized Pope Francis, also a native of Argentina. Milei called the pontiff a "propagandist of communism" and a "messenger of Satan" - comments he later had to publicly apologize for.

"If you are so passionate about social justice, why don't you start distributing the wealth of the Vatican to the poor," Javier addressed the pontiff through social networks in 2017.

The politician, however, admires Donald Trump, backing his "Make America Great Again" slogan and planning to follow his playbook for Argentina.

Milei on Dollarization, Central Bank, China

Javier's work focuses on former Argentine president Carlos Menem (1989-1999) and champions the Austrian school of economics.

Milei describes himself as a 'short-term monarchist,' a 'liberal-libertarian,' and a 'philosophical anarcho-capitalist.'

The politician put his signature under the Madrid Charter. This document was composed by the Spanish party "Vox". The document brands all leftist groups as "enemies of Ibero-America, who took part in the crime conducted by the representatives of the Cuban regime."

Javier sees Argentina's key allies as the United States and Israel. He even said he'd be willing to convert to Judaism, but wasn't ready to spend every Saturday at rest. But Milei has called China a "murderous" country and slammed Brazil's president as a "corrupt communist."

Javier Miley at the VIVA Festival (2022)

Personal Life of Javier Milei

In various interviews, Milei has claimed he worked as a tantric sex coach. He's also openly discussed going months without any intimacy. The politician has also candidly detailed his participation in group sex.

Milei hasn't had serious romantic relationships, citing a "lack of time for dating." He also claims he doesn't have close friends.

He has dated singer Daniela Mori. In December 2022, Javier met actress Fatima Flores on a TV show. The comedian gained fame for her spot-on parodies, including one of then-president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

Their romance became public a few months later. But Milei has said that if he won the election, his younger sister Karina—with whom he's extremely close—would serve as Argentina's first lady. She also managed his presidential campaign.

Javier gets much more animated talking about his pets. In 2004, he got an English Mastiff and named it Conan after the movie character from "Conan the Barbarian." Milei has said the dog became his greatest love—like a son to him. Conan passed away in 2017.

Heartbroken, Javier turned to a medium to communicate with his pet. During this session, Conan allegedly advised his owner to run for president of Argentina.

In 2018, Milei spent around $50,000 to have his deceased dog cloned. Five puppies were born. He named them after economists Milton Friedman, Robert Lucas, and Murray Rothbard—Robert, Milton, Lucas, and Murray. The fifth became Conan.

They say that dogs determine my strategies, right? This is the best strategic committee in the world. Tell me, when has an outsider achieved what we've achieved in two years? So, these are the best political analysts in the world.

Javier Miley Now

In the 2023 presidential elections, Javier ran under the "Freedom is Coming" coalition. He wasn't taken seriously and was considered an outsider, but in the first round held in August 2023, he won with 29.86% of the vote.

In the second round, Miley faced off against Economy Minister and Peronist Sergio Massa. The election on November 19, 2023, ended with Miley's victory - he captured 56% of the vote. The politician took office as President of Argentina on December 10. Former US President Donald Trump congratulated his good friend on the victory, saying he was filled with pride for Argentina's new leader.

Javier Miley Celebrates Election Victory

The newly elected president wasted no time on reforms. On December 12, he announced a 50% peso devaluation against the dollar, along with sharp cuts to state subsidies for energy and transport. Gas prices also skyrocketed and free public transport was eliminated.

On December 21, Miley signed a decree on more than 300 reforms to liberalize the country's economy. These included export liberalization, privatization, and ending price controls. Argentines unhappy with his policies took to the streets in protests and pickets.

On December 23, the president launched mass layoffs of government workers. 23,000 people hired since January 1, 2023, lost their jobs. In his address to the nation, Miley said the country's economy would first face tough times before experiencing rapid growth. He promised to make Argentina a great power within 35 years.

Interesting Facts

During his inauguration, Miley displayed a presidential scepter featuring images of his five favorite dogs.

In 2023, a biography of Miley was published using his nickname El Loco ("The Madman") as the title.

The politician also has another nickname - El Peluca ("The Wig"). This refers to his unusually thick hair and bushy sideburns. His hairstyle was described in The Wall Street Journal as something in-between a "sheepdog and Ozzy Osbourne."