Carlos Slim Helu Net Worth

Carlos Slim Helu net worth – What is the net worth of Carlos Slim Helu? Carlos Slim Helu is a Mexican business magnate, investor, and philanthropist who has a net worth of $102 billion. He is the honorary chairman of América Móvil, Latin America’s largest mobile-phone operator. Once ranked as the richest person in the world (from 2010 to 2013), Slim controls a vast empire in Mexico that spans telecommunications, construction, energy, mining, and retail through his conglomerate, Grupo Carso. He is widely regarded as the “Warren Buffett of Mexico” for his value investing strategy and frugal lifestyle.

What is Carlos Slim Helu’s Net Worth?

As of 2026, Carlos Slim Helu has an estimated net worth of US $102 billion. His wealth is primarily derived from his controlling stake in América Móvil, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of his fortune. Additionally, he holds significant stakes in Grupo Carso (construction and retail), Grupo Financiero Inbursa (banking), and international companies like The New York Times Company and Spanish construction firm FCC. Despite market volatility in the Latin American region, his diversified portfolio and dominance in the telecom sector have kept his fortune comfortably above the $100 billion mark.

Net Worth Comparison with Other Telecom & Global Billionaires

Billionaire	Estimated Net Worth
Carlos Slim Helu	$102 Billion
Mukesh Ambani	$115 Billion
Bill Gates	$107 Billion
Warren Buffett	$135 Billion
Amancio Ortega	$100 Billion
Iris Fontbona	$28 Billion

Carlos Slim Helu Net Worth Growth Timeline

Year	Net Worth
2018	$67.1 Billion
2020	$52.1 Billion
2022	$81.2 Billion
2024	$102.0 Billion
2026	$102.0 Billion

Who is Carlos Slim Helu?

Carlos Slim Helu is a titan of industry born on January 28, 1940, in Mexico City, Mexico. He is the son of Lebanese immigrants who taught him the value of financial responsibility at a young age. Slim is famous for purchasing struggling companies during economic downturns and turning them into profitable powerhouses. He accounts for a significant portion of the total market capitalization of the Mexican Stock Exchange and his companies employ hundreds of thousands of people. Despite his immense wealth, he is known for his modest lifestyle, having lived in the same 6-bedroom house for over 40 years.

Carlos Slim Helu Biography

Field	Details
Full Name	Carlos Slim Helú
Nickname	El Ingeniero (The Engineer)
Date of Birth	January 28, 1940
Age	86 years
Birthplace	Mexico City, Mexico
Nationality	Mexican
Profession	Business Magnate, Investor, Philanthropist
Years Active	1961–present
Net Worth	$102 billion
Source of Wealth	Telecommunications (América Móvil, Telmex)
Education	UNAM (Civil Engineering)
Marital Status	Widowed
Spouse	Soumaya Domit (m. 1967; died 1999)
Children	Carlos, Marco Antonio, Patrick, Soumaya, Vanessa, Johanna
Parents	Julián Slim Haddad, Linda Helú Atta

Early Life and Education

Carlos Slim was born into a Maronite Christian family from Lebanon. His father, Julián Slim Haddad, immigrated to Mexico at age 14 and established a dry goods store called La Estrella de Oriente. From the age of 12, Carlos’s father taught him finance by giving him a ledger to record his income and expenses—a habit Slim maintains to this day.

He studied Civil Engineering at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). While he was a student, he also taught algebra and linear programming at the university. This mathematical background became the foundation of his ability to analyze financial statements and undervalue assets, a skill that would define his career.

Career

Slim began his career as a stock trader in Mexico. In 1965, he incorporated Inversora Bursátil and started acquiring industrial and commercial companies. His big break came during the Mexican economic crisis of 1982. While capital was fleeing the country, Slim doubled down, buying affiliates of foreign companies like Reynolds Aluminum, General Tire, and the Sanborns retail chain at rock-bottom prices.

In 1990, Slim led a consortium to privatize Telmex, the state-owned telephone company. This acquisition gave him a monopoly on landlines in Mexico for decades and became the cash cow for his future expansion. He later spun off the mobile unit, América Móvil, which grew to become the fourth-largest mobile network operator in the world. He later consolidated his holdings under Grupo Carso, creating a conglomerate that touches nearly every aspect of Mexican life.

Personal Life

Carlos Slim was married to Soumaya Domit from 1967 until her death in 1999. They had six children: Carlos, Marco Antonio, Patrick, Soumaya, Vanessa, and Johanna. His three sons now run the day-to-day operations of his companies, though Slim remains the visionary force.

He built the Museo Soumaya in Mexico City in honor of his late wife. The museum houses his massive private art collection, including the second-largest collection of Rodin sculptures outside of France, and offers free admission to the public. Slim is famously technophobic in his personal workspace; he does not have a computer in his office and prefers to keep his records in paper notebooks.

Favorite Things

Category	Favorite
Sport	Baseball (New York Yankees)
Hobby	Art Collecting, History
Artist	Auguste Rodin
Subject	Mathematics, History
Drink	Soft drinks
Clothing	Simple suits (often buys off the rack)

50 Unknown Facts about Carlos Slim Helu

He was the first person from a developing nation to top the Forbes list of the world’s billionaires.
He learned to manage money by keeping a ledger given to him by his father at age 12.
He bought his first government bond at age 11.
He bought shares in a Mexican bank at age 15.
He does not use a computer in his office; he prefers pen and paper.
He has lived in the same 6-bedroom house in the Lomas de Chapultepec district for over 40 years.
He drives himself to work and has little security compared to other billionaires.
He is a huge fan of baseball and supports the New York Yankees.
He wrote a thesis on Linear Programming while at UNAM.
His father was a Lebanese immigrant who arrived in Mexico to avoid conscription in the Ottoman army.
He owns the second-largest collection of Rodin sculptures in the world.
He owns a significant stake in The New York Times (roughly 17% at one point).
He loaned The New York Times $250 million during the 2009 financial crisis.
He dislikes the term “philanthropy” and prefers “health and education support.”
He funds the Carlos Slim Foundation, which focuses on health, education, and employment.
He pays for the surgery of thousands of Mexicans each year.
He owns the Sanborns department store chain in Mexico.
He owns the Mexican arm of Sears.
He once owned a Formula One team (Sahara Force India) through sponsorship.
His cousin is Alfredo Harp Helu, another Mexican billionaire.
He was friends with the late writer Gabriel García Márquez.
He has a vast collection of rare coins and historical documents.
He keeps his children involved in the family business to ensure succession.
He believes that businessmen should not retire but work until they die.
He has criticized the “Giving Pledge” (Buffett/Gates), arguing that creating jobs is more effective than charity.
He owns a mansion in New York City on Fifth Avenue, the Duke Semans Mansion.
He bought the Duke Semans Mansion for $44 million in 2010.
He has a strategy of never overpaying for an asset.
He considers the 1982 economic crisis his biggest opportunity.
He owns infrastructure companies that build oil platforms and highways.
He is a Maronite Catholic.
He visits the graves of his parents and wife regularly.
He does not travel with a large entourage.
He has received the Order of the Cedar from the Lebanese government.
He enjoys smoking Cuban cigars.
He owns a stake in the Spanish soccer club Real Oviedo.
He helped revitalize the historic center of Mexico City.
He employs over 200,000 people across his companies.
His son-in-law, Arturo Elías Ayub, is a famous negotiator and Shark Tank Mexico judge.
He believes poverty is the biggest obstacle to economic growth.
He has launched free online education platforms like Khan Academy in Spanish.
He owns mining companies that produce gold, silver, and copper.
He is known to be a tough negotiator.
He rarely takes vacations.
He has held the title of richest man in Mexico for decades.
He believes technology reduces the cost of services but doesn’t solve social problems alone.
He has suggested a 3-day work week with 11-hour shifts to improve quality of life.
He is an honorary member of the Real Madrid Foundation.
He has a stake in BlackRock.
He plans to never sell his companies, but pass them to his heirs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Carlos Slim Helu?

Carlos Slim Helu is 86 years old (as of early 2026).

Where does Carlos Slim live?

He resides in Mexico City, in the same house he has owned for over four decades.

Is Carlos Slim the richest man in the world?

He was the richest man from 2010 to 2013. As of 2026, he is within the top 20, but not number one.

How much is Carlos Slim worth?

His estimated net worth is $102 billion.

What companies does Carlos Slim own?

He owns América Móvil (Telcel, Claro), Telmex, Grupo Carso (Sanborns, Sears Mexico, Grupo Condumex), and Grupo Financiero Inbursa.

Did Carlos Slim inherit his money?

He inherited a small amount from his father’s store, but he is largely a self-made billionaire who grew his fortune through investments.

Does Carlos Slim own The New York Times?

He is a major shareholder, owning a significant minority stake (Class A shares), though the Ochs-Sulzberger family controls the voting shares.

Who is Carlos Slim’s wife?

His wife was Soumaya Domit, who passed away in 1999. He never remarried.

What is the Museo Soumaya?

It is a non-profit art museum in Mexico City founded by Slim, named after his late wife, featuring over 66,000 works of art.

Is Carlos Slim Lebanese?

Yes, he is of Lebanese descent; both of his parents were Lebanese immigrants to Mexico.