You basically can’t spend a single day in Mexico without putting money into the pockets of one specific family. It’s wild when you think about it. If you use a cell phone, you’re likely on their network. Buying a coffee or a suit at a department store? Probably their mall. Even the literal pavement on the highway might have been laid by one of their construction firms.
Carlos Slim Helú is the richest person in Mexico, and honestly, the sheer scale of his influence is hard to wrap your head around. As of early 2026, his net worth is hovering around $103.1 billion, according to the latest Forbes real-time data. He isn't just "wealthy" in the way a tech founder is wealthy; he is a structural pillar of the Mexican economy.
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Why the "Warren Buffett of Mexico" is a Bad Nickname
People love to compare Slim to Warren Buffett. It’s an easy shorthand because they both buy undervalued companies and hold them forever. But it’s kinda lazy.
Buffett buys pieces of brands. Slim builds or buys entire infrastructures. In the early 90s, when the Mexican government started privatizing state-run industries, Slim made the move of a lifetime by acquiring Telmex. This wasn't just a business deal. It was the acquisition of a near-monopoly on the country's entire telecommunications system.
He didn't stop there. Through his massive conglomerate, Grupo Carso, he branched into everything:
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- América Móvil: The titan that controls Telcel (Mexico's biggest mobile provider).
- Grupo Sanborns: That iconic restaurant/retail chain you see everywhere.
- Sears and Saks Fifth Avenue: He holds the licenses for these in Mexico.
- Minera Frisco: A heavy hitter in the mining world.
One of the weirdest details about Slim? He famously doesn't use a computer. He’s a "pen and paper" guy who keeps track of his billions in hand-written notebooks. He’s 86 now, and while his son, Carlos Slim Domit, handles more of the day-to-day operations, the patriarch’s fingerprints are on every major decision.
The Guys in Second and Third Place
While Slim is the undisputed heavyweight, the runner-up is Germán Larrea Mota Velasco. He’s a bit of a ghost. Unlike Slim, who you’ll see at baseball games or art gallery openings, Larrea is incredibly reclusive.
His wealth, roughly $58.6 billion, comes from Grupo México, the largest mining corporation in the country. If you’ve ever wondered who owns those massive copper mines or the trains running through the northern states, it’s him. Larrea has been in the news lately because of some friction with the Mexican government over railroad concessions, proving that even with fifty billion dollars, you still have to deal with politics.
Then there is Ricardo Salinas Pliego. If Slim is the quiet operator and Larrea is the recluse, Salinas Pliego is the firebrand. He’s worth about $5.6 billion in early 2026, a number that fluctuates because he is a huge believer in Bitcoin. He once claimed that nearly 60% of his liquid portfolio was in BTC. He owns TV Azteca and Grupo Elektra, and he is constantly on social media arguing with people about taxes and freedom. He's the billionaire most likely to start a Twitter fight at 2:00 AM.
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The Misconception About Mexican Wealth
There’s a common myth that the richest person in Mexico got there just by being "friends with the government." While it’s true that privatization in the 90s helped, it ignores the actual skill involved.
Slim’s father was a Lebanese immigrant who opened a dry goods store called La Estrella de Oriente. He taught his son to track every penny in a ledger from the age of twelve. Slim didn't just inherit a mountain of gold; he inherited a methodology for calculating value. He’s known for being incredibly frugal in his personal life—no private jets or super-yachts for a long time—opting instead to reinvest every cent back into the business.
How to Track the Shifts
Wealth in Mexico is currently shifting toward two areas: Nearshoring and Energy.
Because of the trade tensions between the US and China, Mexico is becoming the world’s factory. If you want to keep an eye on who might challenge the Slim dynasty in the next decade, look at the families owning industrial real estate and logistics.
Actionable Insights for Following the Money:
- Watch the Bolsa: The Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) is heavily influenced by Grupo Carso. If Slim’s stocks move, the whole market moves.
- Follow the Mining Exports: Germán Larrea’s net worth is a direct reflection of global copper prices. When EVs go up, his bank account goes up.
- Keep an eye on Bitcoin: Since Salinas Pliego is so heavily invested, his ranking on the rich list is basically a proxy for the crypto market.
It's a fascinating time for the Mexican elite. The old guard is aging out, and the next generation is dealing with a world of digital currencies and globalized manufacturing. Slim remains the king, but the board is definitely changing.