From Lebanese roots to 300 companies, meet the family quietly running Mexico’s most powerful empire.
Carlos Slim’s fortune is estimated at $81.8 billion, placing him 18th in the global billionaire rankings.
What does the future hold for Carlos Slim, the wealthiest man in Mexico? Even if he doesn’t know for sure, “El Ingeniero,” as the 85-year-old magnate is called, has a clear idea: “If you retire, you’re out.”
Currently, Carlos Slim Helú, who began his business ventures at age 15, heads around 300 companies, with his empire spanning telecommunications, banking, infrastructure, and retail. Though retirement isn’t on his mind, the Slim family—especially his children—play a key role in managing and expanding his businesses.
The Origin of the Slim Family
Carlos Slim’s family has roots in Lebanon. His father, originally named Khalil Salim, arrived in Mexico in 1902 at age 14, changed his name to Julián, and opened La Estrella del Oriente, a haberdashery store in Mexico City during the Mexican Revolution.
This textile business laid the foundation for the Slim family’s wealth and was the beginning of the entrepreneurial path that Carlos would later amplify on a massive scale.
His parents, Julián Slim Haddad and Linda Helú, came to Mexico seeking opportunity. The Lebanese community had a strong influence in commerce—and the Slim family was no exception. Julián taught his children key principles: saving, investing, and reinvesting. These became the cornerstones of Carlos Slim’s fortune.
At age 12, Carlos received a savings book from his father, a life lesson emphasizing family and financial prudence. Soon after, he began investing by buying shares in Banco Nacional de México.
The Slim Family Tree
Carlos Slim married Soumaya Domit, with whom he had six children—all involved in his business empire:
- Carlos Slim Domit
Chairman of América Móvil and Grupo Carso. Married to María Elena Torruco. Children: Carlos, Emiliano, Marielle, and Nicole.
- Marco Antonio Slim Domit
Chairman of Grupo Financiero Inbursa and board member of América Móvil and Grupo Carso. Married to Ximena Serrano. Children: Tony Mills (reggaeton artist), Valeria, and Jerónimo.
- Patrick Slim Domit
Heads Grupo Sanborns and sits on the boards of América Móvil and Telmex. Married to María de Jesús Aramburú. Children: Diego (exec at Grupo Sanborns and Frisco), Ana Isabel.
- Soumaya Slim Domit
Focused on philanthropy and culture. Was married to architect Fernando Romero. Children: Soumaya, Valentina, Carlos, and Melissa.
- Vanessa Slim Domit
Also active in philanthropy. Married to Daniel Hajj Aboumrad (CEO of América Móvil). Children: Daniel, Rodrigo, Vanessa, Mauricio, and Paola—all holding executive or board positions.
- Johanna Slim Domit
Engaged in philanthropic and educational initiatives. Married to Arturo Elías Ayub, director of strategic partnerships at América Móvil and one of the group’s public faces. Children: Arturo (head of Claro Sports), Alejandro, and Johanna Elías Slim (recently married).
Carlos Slim and his heirs control around 300 companies, including 6 publicly traded ones that make up roughly 15% of Mexico’s stock market value:
- América Móvil
- Grupo Carso SAB
- Grupo Financiero Inbursa SAB
- Minera Frisco SAB
- IDEAL (Impulsora del Desarrollo y el Empleo en América Latina)
- Telesites
These span across:
- Telecom: América Móvil, Telmex, Claro
- Infrastructure: CICSA, IDEAL
- Retail: Sanborns, Sears, Mixup
- Banking: Inbursa
- Mining/Energy: Minera Frisco, Carso Energy
Despite market volatility, Carlos Slim remains a towering figure in global wealth rankings, thanks to a diversified portfolio and family deeply embedded in the business.
