Mexico now has the world's richest person: Carlos Slim

Mexican telecommunications magnate Carlos Slim Helu has topped Forbes magazine's new ranking of the wealthiest people in the world, making him the first person to do so from a developing country. Slim occupied the No. 3 spot last year, but with a surge in his two major telecom holdings, Telcel and America Movil, he skipped over Americans Bill Gates and Warren Buffet on the Forbes list for 2010.

Slim, 70, controls dozens of companies in a variety of industries, making his wealth the subject of frequent criticism as social inequalities still plague many regions of Mexico. Millions of Mexicans live below the poverty line. Slim's net wealth is now estimated at $53.5 billion, up by $18.5 billion in just one year, the magazine says.

Another famous Mexican on the Forbes billionaires list dropped in the rankings this year -- perhaps because his wealth is the target of an international law enforcement campaign. Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, kingpin of the Sinaloa drug-trafficking cartel, went from debuting at No. 701 on the list to dropping to No. 937 this year. His appearance on the Forbes list in 2009 caused a scandal among Mexico's power elite, who saw his inclusion in the rankings as somehow legitimizing Guzman's criminal enterprise.

-- Daniel Hernandez in Mexico City

Comments

[Sal]

Do you want to know why he is that rich??? Its simple.. Telmex (the only mexican phone company) was a government company for years and years until the presidency of Carlos Salinas. When Carlos Salinas presidency was almost over he "privatized" Telmex. Carlos Slim gave him a huge amount of money to keep Telmex for himself. So, why is he that rich? Because of the big corruption that Mexico has. This corruption is also why the cartels are also sooo powerfull. So as you can see the Mexican politicians are filling their pockets at the expense of frigthened citizens and excesive poverty.

[sales]

And to think they say this guy is connected to the Legionaries of Christ! It doesn't surprise me at all.

[nay.nay:)]

What bout that..?
What a Mexican!! :)lol.
now..you do what you want with your Money...and DON'T share with the US!! They want us out of here so bad, but haven't realized they can't live without us! We bulid their childrens schools, we pick their favorite fruits and veggies, WITHOUT US they can't live! They can make their own money! We dont't ask? :)

[James]

This is good news. Now the United States doesn't have to pretend that we are obligated to provide free healthcare, education and jobs to 30 million mexicans living here illegally.

[troy]

It doesn't make sense to have such a rich Mexican when so many Mexicans are so poor they'd risk their lives to get to America. Something is wrong with that picture. He needs to help the millions of impoverished Mexicans, and use his money to clean up the corruption in Mexico. With his money, he can do something substantial. Perhaps, he can donate some money to the USA, so he can help the illegals that are here.

If he does this right, he can be not only a Mexican hero, but a hero to Americans, as well. But will he do the right thing?

[Xicana_MD]

Ridiculous. You know that the average Mexican worker makes 50 pesos a day? That's less than $5 for a day's work! (Makes me wonder if he has ANY connection to illegal activities or the drug cartels.) I don't care that he took advantage of capitlism & now he's the richest person in the world. But what happened to caring about your fellow country men?

[Randy L.]

And what do you bet he has connections to the cartels?