Early Life
Carlos Slim Helú, born on January 28, 1940, in Mexico City, was the son of Julián Slim Haddad and Linda Helú Atta, both Maronite Christians from Lebanon. From a young age, Slim aspired to be a businessman. His father taught him essential financial, business management, and accounting principles, instilling in him the importance of accurate financial records. At 11, Slim invested in a government savings bond, and by 15, he had become a shareholder in Mexico’s largest bank. He studied civil engineering at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
Rise to Success
Slim’s corporate conglomerate spans numerous industries across the Mexican economy, including education, health care, industrial manufacturing, transportation, real estate, mass media, mining, energy, entertainment, technology, retail, sports, and financial services. However, the core of his fortune derives from telecommunications, where he owns América Móvil and the Mexican carrier Telcel and Internet service provider Telmex. He accounts for 40% of the listings on the Mexican Stock Exchange.
Telecommunications Empire
Slim’s telecommunications empire includes operations throughout Latin America through América Móvil and the Mexican carrier Telcel and Internet service provider Telmex, a state-run-gone-private company that maintained a virtual monopoly for many years after Slim’s acquisition. He is the largest single shareholder of non-voting shares of The New York Times Company, although he sold half of his shares in 2017.
Diversified Portfolio
Beyond telecommunications, Slim’s portfolio includes significant investments in various sectors, making him a dominant player in the Mexican economy. He has investments in the New York Times Company, education, health care, industrial manufacturing, transportation, real estate, mass media, mining, energy, entertainment, technology, retail, sports, and financial services.
Personal Life
Slim was married to Soumaya Domit from 1967 until her death in 1999. They had six children together, including Carlos Slim Domit. Slim has several notable relatives, including cousin Alfredo Harp Helú and son-in-law Arturo Elías Ayub.
Philanthropy and Charity
Slim is known for his philanthropic efforts, donating billions of dollars to various causes. His foundation, the Carlos Slim Foundation, focuses on education, health, and culture. He has also donated to numerous disaster relief efforts, including the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Awards and Recognition
Slim has received numerous awards and recognitions for his business success and philanthropy. In 2010, he was ranked as the richest person in the world by Forbes. He has been awarded the Order of the Aztec Eagle, Mexico’s highest honor for foreigners, and has received numerous other awards from various countries.
