Who Is Javier Milei? A Deep Dive into Argentina’s Maverick Leader and His Crypto Agenda

There is nothing typical about Javier Milei as the head of state affairs. Milei is a self-proclaimed anarcho-capitalist who served as an economist and a television personality before ascending from political obscurity to become the 59th President of Argentina in the year 2023. As a result of his use of populist rhetoric, libertarian principles, and a dramatic commitment to demolish the political caste system, he has reinterpreted the political debate in Latin America and positioned Argentina at the center of the world arena.

Who is Javier Milei, however, if we are to go behind the headlines, jokes, and questionable advertising for cryptocurrency? This article will cover a variety of topics of interest, including Milei’s biography, family history, educational background, political views, scandals (yes, even the infamous collapse of the $LIBRA cryptocurrency), and more. There is no question that Milei has altered the course of events, regardless of whether you regard him as a visionary reformer or a dangerous radical.

Who is Javier Milei?

Known for his extreme libertarian philosophy, chainsaw economics, and vibrant public image, Javier Milei is the 59th President of Argentina. He was chosen in 2023 and has been a divisive reformer ever since.

Early Development of Javier Gerardo 

Javier Gerardo Milei, born October 22, 1970, in Buenos Aires, comes from a middle-class Argentine family. Alicia Luján Lucich, his mother, stayed at home; his father, Norberto Milei, drove buses. Called his other half, Karina Milei, his younger sister is one of his closest advisers.

Early in the 1990s Milei graduated from the University of Belgrano after studying economics.  He studied postgraduate studies at the University of Torcuato Di Tella and the respected Instituto de Desarrollo Económico Social (IDE). Milei’s allegiance to Austrian economics, libertarianism, and radical free-market ideology was molded by these intellectual roots.

He taught university courses, was a chief economist for financial companies, and wrote several books including Pandenomics and El Camino del Libertario before running for office.  Regularly appearing on Argentine television, his dynamic and aggressive approach railed against inflation, corruption, and the thieving political class.

Milei’s political career started in earnest in 2021 when he was elected as a National Deputy for Buenos Aires under his newly established party, La Libertad Avanza (Freedom Advances). His no-holds-barred speech and media-savvy demeanor made him a viral phenomenon.  Critics dubbed him a shock jock economist, while supporters hailed him as a truth prophet.

Milei shocked the political class in 2023 by landing the presidency. Promoting a program of dramatic economic liberalization, anti-socialist feeling, and a reform of Argentina’s bloated bureaucracy, he grabbed 56% of the vote in a runoff against Sergio Massa. To symbolize what he meant to accomplish with public money, he carried a chainsaw to demonstrations actually.

His election was a turning point not only for Argentina but also for worldwide libertarian movements. Promising to blow up the central bank, he replaced the peso with the U.S. dollar, therefore becoming the first libertarian head of state in the world.

Personal and Family Life

Milei puts his personal life under strict supervision despite his flashy public image. His political approach and management depend much on his sister Karina. Often referred to as the power behind the throne, she is always at his side including during big speeches and campaign activities.

Milei was formerly in a relationship with well-known Argentinian actress and comic Fatima Florez.  Beginning in 2023, the couple became among the most talked-about couples in Argentina. But in 2024, they broke off their relationship, citing their different professions’ pressures. Both stressed they stayed on good terms even with the breakup.

Fascinatingly, Milei has no children and has said publicly that his cloned English Mastiff dogs named for eminent economists such as Milton (Friedman), Murray (Rothbard), and Robert (Lucas) are his sole children.

Net Worth and Background in Finance

Though estimates differ, Javier Milei’s net worth is not stated formally. His income as of 2023 mostly came from his activities as an author, consultant, and economist. Milei was not from the wealthy class or inherited riches, unlike many politicians from Latin America. But his popularity and well-publicized profession as a TV commentator and best-selling writer have brought him financial ease.

Critics note that his post-election way of life, including private meetings with world billionaires and worldwide travel, seems to contradict his anti-elite image. Advocates contend he is strolling the halls of power, destroying them from inside.

Political Philosophy and Agenda for Policies

Inspired by writers like Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek, and Murray Rothbard, Milei is a fervent supporter of libertarian economics. His primary policy objectives comprise:

• Declaring the central bank of Argentina defunct

• Dollarizing the nation

• Large government expenditure cuts labeled chainsaw economics

• Privatization of publicly owned businesses

• Trade and market deregulation

• Rigorous anti-union rules

He approved broad austerity policies including a 30% cut in government ministries and the abolition of subsidies within months of assuming office. In addition, he negotiated a $20 billion IMF agreement and started easing capital restrictions, which resulted in wary hope from abroad markets.

Ratings of Approval: Rising or Falling?

Like any extreme reformer, Javier Milei’s approval rating swings wildly. A real-time tracker by AS/COA shows that his appeal skyrocketed upon his 2023 victory but has since dropped as austerity causes more discontent.

Though public services, wages, and inflation still cause problems, many Argentines first embraced his tough-love approach to the economy. Depending on the poll, his approval as of March 2025 falls around 47%. The nation is divided; some view him as the illness itself, while others as the remedy for Argentina’s long-standing financial crisis.

The Libra Cryptocurrency Crisis

The $LIBRA crypto crisis, which broke out early in 2025, is one of the worst blips on Milei’s administration. Advocated by Milei’s supporters as part of a “freedom-based financial future,” the token skyrocketed in value following Milei’s public X (previously Twitter) endorsement. But the project fell apart fast—within weeks, the value dropped, wiping off around $250 million in investor capital.

Rumors abound that the project was a classic rug pull, with insiders cashing out before the fall-off.  Milei denied direct participation, but critics attacked him for endorsing an uncontrolled crypto project devoid of due care. Dubbed the biggest meme-coin fraud in presidential history, the controversy still haunts his government and drives demands for legislative control of virtual currency.

Is Javier Milei Jewish?

This subject has oddly become political in Argentina over the course of recent history.   A rising amount of appreciation for Jewish culture and Israel has been created by Milei, who was born within the Roman Catholic faith.   On a regular basis, he expresses his admiration for Jewish scholars, he is a strong supporter of Israel, and he has disclosed that he is “studying to convert.”

Following the announcement that Milei intends to move Argentina’s embassy to Jerusalem in January 2025, prominent personalities such as Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have expressed their support for this move. This has resulted in both praise and criticism being directed at it.

Critics accuse him of pandering, while others are concerned that it could incite anti-Semitism within Argentina’s borders and put Argentina’s diplomatic efforts in the region at risk. In spite of this, his association with Jewish faith and aspirations appears genuine, despite the fact that it is politically charged.

Global Image and Issues of Controversy

Milei has become a cult figure in communities all over the world that are conservative and libertarian in their beliefs and behaviors. While he was speaking at the CPAC, he lauded Elon Musk and criticized those individuals whom he calls “socialist parasites” who were present at the World Economic Forum. The West is in decline because it abandoned capitalism, he declared in his now-famous address at Davos 2025, which was an attack on globalist institutions.

Criticism has also been directed toward his remarks regarding gender policies, COVID-19 limits, climate change, which he referred to as a socialist lie, and other pertinent issues. Through his unfiltered approach, he is able to win over both friends and enemies.

Conclusion

Indeed, Javier Milei is more than just a politician; he is a phenomenon. A spectacular turnaround is shown by him in a country that is struggling with debt, inflation, and skepticism. We have not yet determined whether or not that reset will be successful.

His administration has been a combination of a social media circus, an experiment in libertarianism, and a test of his ability to survive economically. If Argentina continues to flourish under his leadership, Milei will serve as a model for how to successfully disrupt an organization. Should it fail, his rise to power would serve as a cautionary tale about ideology that has been taken to an extreme. Certainly, Javier Milei has made it difficult to ignore Argentina. This is one thing that is certain.