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Carlos Slim

Son of a Lebanese immigrant merchant in Mexico City; bought through crises and won Telmex.

Carlos Slim was born in 1940 in Mexico City, Mexico. Carlos Slim's background is described as Mexican; Lebanese (Maronite) descent. Growing up, the family was affluent — his father emigrated from Lebanon at 14 and built a fortune in trade and Mexico City real estate. Son of a Lebanese immigrant merchant in Mexico City; bought through crises and won Telmex.

Born
1940 · Mexico City, Mexico
Roots
Mexican; Lebanese (Maronite) descent
Family
Affluent
His father emigrated from Lebanon at 14 and built a fortune in trade and Mexico City real estate.
Education
Civil engineering, UNAM
Started with
Family wealth
Taught ledgers and investing by his father; trading stocks as a teenager.
Affiliations & societies
None documented.
Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.

The pathway

  1. 1952 · age 12
    First shares

    Buys stock in a Mexican bank, recording it in a ledger his father reviewed.

  2. 1965 · age 25
    First acquisitions

    Begins buying businesses; the group later becomes Grupo Carso.

  3. 1982 · age 42
    Buys through the crisis

    Acquires Mexican companies cheaply during debt-crisis capital flight.

  4. 1990 · age 50
    Telmex

    His consortium wins the privatized national telephone company.

  5. 2000 · age 60
    América Móvil

    Grows into Latin America's largest mobile carrier.

  6. 2010 · age 70
    Ranked world's richest person

    Per Forbes; holds the top spot for four years.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Carlos Slim from?

Carlos Slim was born in 1940 in Mexico City, Mexico. Their background is described as Mexican; Lebanese (Maronite) descent.

When was Carlos Slim born?

Carlos Slim was born in 1940, in Mexico City, Mexico.

What is Carlos Slim's background or ethnicity?

Carlos Slim's roots are described as Mexican; Lebanese (Maronite) descent. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.

Where did Carlos Slim go to school?

Carlos Slim's education: Civil engineering, UNAM.

What was Carlos Slim's family background growing up?

At birth the family was affluent. His father emigrated from Lebanon at 14 and built a fortune in trade and Mexico City real estate.

How did Carlos Slim get started?

Carlos Slim started with family wealth. Taught ledgers and investing by his father; trading stocks as a teenager.

Sources

Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.