Carlos Slim, 72, is a telecommunications mogul who controls America Movil SAB (AMXL) in Mexico. In 2010 and 2011, Slim landed at the top of the Forbes list of the richest people in the world.
Despite the fact Carlos Slim's net worth plummeted $478.4 million in just one day, he still remained the richest person on March 2. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Slim's fortune soared 11 percent this year.
Slim was born in 1940 in Mexico. His father, Julian Slim Haddad, arrived alone in Mexico from Lebanon when he was 14 years old. He gave his son early business lessons with a savings book and weekly allowance teaching him financial management.
In 1961, Carlos Slim completed his professional studies in civil engineering at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He was simultaneously a student and professor. Slim taught algebra and linear programming at UNAM.
Carlos Slim's early businesses included construction, real estate and mining. Later he expanded into many other industries including copper, aluminum, tobacco and telecommunications.
Besides being a savvy businessman, Carlos Slim is a family man. He was married to Soumaya Domit Gamayel in 1966. She died in 1999 and they have six children.
On his website, Carlos Slim states, “Technology does not open roads; it creates important bridges, but it is to us to want to cross them.” He also says, “Work well done is not only a responsibility to oneself and society, it is also an emotional need.”
