Carlos Slim Helu: Billionaire Icon & Family Legacy

Overview

Carlos Slim Helu is a Mexican business magnate, investor, and philanthropist who is considered to be one of the wealthiest people in the world. He is the chairman and CEO of Grupo Carso, a conglomerate that has holdings in numerous industries, including telecom, mining, real estate, and retail. As of 2021, Carlos Slim’s net worth is estimated to be $73 billion, making him the seventh-richest person in the world according to Forbes.

Early Life and Education

Carlos Slim Helu was born on January 28, 1940, in Mexico City, Mexico. His parents were Julian Slim Haddad, a Lebanese immigrant, and Linda Helu, a Mexican of Lebanese descent. Slim attended the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) where he studied engineering. He later went on to complete a degree in business administration from the Universidad Anahuac in Mexico City.

Career and Achievements

Carlos Slim started his career in the early 1960s when he began working for his father’s real estate company. He quickly demonstrated an exceptional business acumen and started investing in various ventures. In 1965, he acquired a controlling interest in the Mexican bottling company Jarritos del Sur. He subsequently went on to invest in numerous other businesses, including insurance companies, retail stores, and tobacco companies. However, it was his investments in the telecommunications industry that made him one of the richest people in the world.

In 1990, Slim purchased Telmex, the state-owned telephone company, and turned it into a profitable business. He later merged Telmex with Telcel, the largest mobile phone company in Mexico, to create America Movil, the largest telecommunications provider in Latin America. The company operates in 25 countries and has over 300 million subscribers.

Aside from his business ventures, Carlos Slim has made significant contributions to philanthropic causes. In 1995, he established the Carlos Slim Foundation, which focuses on the areas of health, education, and social development. He has also founded numerous museums, including the Soumaya Museum, which houses a vast collection of art and historical artifacts.

Personal Life

Carlos Slim Helu is married to Soumaya Domit Gemayel, with whom he has six children. His son, Carlos Slim Domit, is the chairman of Grupo Carso. Slim is known for his frugal lifestyle, despite his enormous wealth. He is often seen wearing simple clothing and driving a modest car. He also avoids lavish vacations and prefers to spend his free time with his family.

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