Biography

Carlos Slim

First Name: Carlos
Last Name: Slim

Carlos Slim Helú is a mexican businessman. Carlos was born on 28 January 1940 in Mexico City, Mexico. His parents are Julián Slim Haddad (father) and Linda Helú, his mother. Slim was the youngest boy out of the six children.

Slim started studying engineering at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. At 26 years old Slim Carlos was already worth more than 40 million dollars.

He married Soumaya Domit Gemayel in 1967 and had six children with her. Domit died in 1999 because of health problems (kidney ailment).

Why famous ?

Carlos Slim is one of the wealthiest persons in the world with an estimated net worth of around 53 million US dollars(in 2010). Carlos raised money for a telecomunications company and purchased standby letters of credit which enabled him to take guaranteed loans providing the necessary capital.

Slim controls Telmex, Telcel and América Móvil companies.

Rise to fame

Slim rose to fame in 1990 when he led a group of investors in buying Telmex and Telnor from the Mexican government as a public offer during the presidency of Carlos Salinas.

The majority of telephone lines in Mexico are operated by Telmex. The mobile company, Telcel, operates more than 80% of the Mexico's cellular phones.

His wireless carrier America Movil has bought cellphone companies all round Latin America and now dominates the market with more than 100 million subscribers.

Richest Person in the world

Slim surpased Warren Buffet on March 2007, becoming the world's second richest person.

On August 2007, sources reported Slim as the riches man in the world. Slim's fortune rose up to 59 million US dollars based on the value of his public holdings.

On March 2008, Forbes rank revealed Slim as the world's second-richest person behind Warren Buffet.

Carlos dropped to third place in 2009 behind Bill Gates and Warren Buffet.

Carlos Slim, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet constantly battled for the "world's richest man" title and on March 11, 2010 Carlos once again became the world's most wealthiest person.