Carlos Slim of Mexico heads this list with $69 billion
Carlos Slim Helu
GLOBAL RANK: 1
$69 BILLION
MEXICO, Telecom, Diversified
Slim retains the title of world’s richest man for the third year in a row despite a fortune that’s $5 billion smaller than a year ago—primarily because of a lower share price for telecom giant América Móvil, which accounts for more than half his net worth. In April the company was fined $1 billion by Mexican regulators for monopolistic practices but is appealing the decision.
Ricardo Salinas Pliego & family
GLOBAL RANK: 37
$17.4 BILLION
MEXICO, Retail, Media
Salinas Pliego is the world’s biggest gainer in dollar terms. His net worth is $9.2 billion higher than a year ago thanks to a more than doubling of the share price of Mexico-listed home appliance and electronics retailer Grupo Elektra. Analysts point to a small float as one reason for the price spike; an equity swap with UBS and a new placement on the Mexican stock index further reduced supply and drove share prices higher. He also controls Mexico’s second-largest broadcaster, TV Azteca, and wireless phone company Iusacell.
(This story appears in the 30 March, 2012 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)