In mid-2002, Uruguayan banks had lost half of their deposits. Unemployment, inflation, and devaluation were growing rapidly. Some argued that President Jorge Batlle should step aside. This is the story of a man who reached the Presidency at the age of 72, after his fifth attempt, only to face the worst economic crisis in Uruguay's history. He was the heir to a political dynasty, with a unique style that managed to avoid default amidst the crisis.