Early Life
Carlos Slim Helú was born in Mexico City on January 28, 1940. His parents were Lebanese immigrants. Slim's father was a successful businessman, instilling in young Carlos the fundamentals of finance and investment. By age 12, he had already begun investing in the stock market. He studied civil engineering at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), where he also taught algebra and linear programming while still a student.
Rise to Success
Slim's business acumen became evident early in his career. In 1965, at the age of 25, he began building the foundation of Grupo Carso. Grupo Carso was formed in 1990 after the merger of Corporación Industrial Carso and Grupo Inbursa. His investments expanded significantly in the 1980s, during the Mexican economic crisis, when he acquired undervalued companies. A pivotal moment came in the early 1990s with the privatization of Telmex, the state-owned telephone company. Slim, with partners, acquired Telmex, transforming it into a major telecommunications provider.
Key Business Strategies
A key strategy for Carlos Slim has been acquiring companies with strong potential, particularly those facing financial difficulties. He then restructures and improves these companies, enhancing their value. Slim's investments are diversified across multiple sectors, which has helped in maintaining stability and driving overall growth.
Philanthropy
Slim is known for his significant philanthropic efforts, mainly through the Carlos Slim Foundation. The foundation focuses on initiatives in healthcare, education, and social development in Latin America.
