Carlos Slim Helu The former richest man in the world – a title he held from 2010-2013 – Carlos Slim Helu has long been a mainstay of lists proclaiming global power and in uence. Worth approximately $56bn, the business mogul made his name a young, shrewd investor in 1960s Mexico, and in 1990 acquired phone company Telmex from… The former richest man in the world – a title he held from 2010-2013 – Carlos Slim Helu has long been a mainstay of lists proclaiming global power and in uence. Worth approximately $56bn, the business mogul made his name a young, shrewd investor in 1960s Mexico, and in 1990 acquired phone company Telmex from the government before launching America Movil in 2000. In the past year Helu made headlines in the run-up to the Mexican presidential election, with the country’s Economic Coordinating Council – Mexico’s most in uential business group – siding with Helu in his public disagreement with eventual winner Adres Manuel Lopez Obrador over plans for a $13bn airport project for Mexico City. Proof, if it were ever needed, of the considerable in uence and respect Helu still holds as he approaches his 80th birthday next year. Honorary chairman, America Movil Origin:Lebanon Residence:Mexico Sector:Telecoms