The 5 Wealthiest People in Mexico

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Andrew Bloomenthal
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Updated May 09, 2023
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Mexico has produced its fair share of billionaires. Here are that country's top five wealthiest individuals, along with itemized descriptions of their net worths, their wealth rankings in Mexico, their global wealth rankings, plus descriptions of the sectors in which they earned or inherited their astonishing fortunes.

Data are current as of April 2023.

Key Takeaways

  • Mexico is home to 14 of the world's 2,640 billionaires, as measured in U.S. dollars.
  • Most of these billionaires inherited large fortunes that they were able to reinvest and grow.
  • The wealthiest person in Mexico is Carlos Slim, who made his $93 billion fortune in telecommunications.
  • The second wealthiest, Germán Larrea Mota Velasco, is majority owner of Grupo Mexico, the country's largest copper mining company.
  • Others made their fortunes in finance, beverages, and retail.

1. Carlos Slim Helu

  • Net worth: $93 billion
  • Wealth ranking in Mexico: 1
  • Global wealth ranking: 8
  • Sector focus: Telecommunications

Carlos Slim owns América Móvil (AMX), whose telecom operations reach 18 countries. América Móvil once commanded an 80% share of the landline market and a 70% share of the mobile market in Mexico. This changed in the wake of new Mexican laws forbidding companies from monopolizing more than 50% of either subsector.

In 2018, regulators fined the company $128 million for violations of antitrust laws. However, Slim's losses were relatively minor compared to the losses other Mexican billionaires suffered over the same time frame.

2. Germán Larrea Mota Velasco

  • Net worth: $26.6 billion
  • Wealth ranking in Mexico: 2
  • Global wealth ranking: 54
  • Sector focus: Mining

Germán Larrea Mota Velasco is the Chairman and CEO of Grupo México S.A.B. de C.V. (GMEXICOB.MX), Mexico's largest copper mining and infrastructure company, which also owns the largest railroad company in Mexico.

Including his own 19.1% stake, the Larrea family controls nearly 40.6% of Grupo México's shares. After a two-year slump in copper prices, Grupo México's share price more than doubled in 2020, propelling Larrea from the third-wealthiest Mexican billionaire to the second-place spot.

3. Ricardo Salinas Pliego

  • Net worth: $10.9 billion
  • Wealth ranking in Mexico: 3
  • Global wealth ranking: 161
  • Sector focus: Retail, Media

Ricardo Salinas Pliego owns financing company Grupo Elektra and conglomerate Grupo Salinas, which has holdings in television, telecommunications, retail, and banking. Pliego’s fortunes suffered due to depressed consumer spending. Nonetheless, a stronger Mexican peso increased his net worth by $1.2 billion in 2020.

In 2023, 14 of the world's 2640 billionaires are located in Mexico.

4. Alejandro Baillères Gaul

  • Net worth: $6.9 billion
  • Wealth ranking in Mexico: 4
  • Global wealth ranking: 344
  • Sector focus: Diversified

Alejandro Baillères Gaul and his siblings inherited the fortune associated with the mining company built by father, Alberto Baillères Gonzalez. Alejandro is president of Grupo BAL, the conglomerate that owns silver mining company Industrias Peñoles (of which he is vice-chairman), an insurance firm, a pension fund company, a department store, a cattle and bullfight company, and more.

5. Maria Asuncion Aramburuzabala

  • Net worth: $6.2 billion
  • Wealth ranking in Mexico: 5
  • Global wealth ranking: 411
  • Sector focus: Beer, Investments

Maria Asuncion Aramburuzabala inherited ownership in the beer company Grupo Modelo from her father before it was sold to Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2013. She continues to serve on the ABInBev board and joined the board of directors of cosmetics company Coty in December 2020. She is CEO of venture capital and private equity firm Tresalia Capital which has made investments in telecommunications, the internet, and construction, among other areas.

What Happened to Former Fourth Richest in Mexico, Alberto Baillères Gonzalez?

Alberto Baillères Gonzalez, who originally made his fortune in mining, passed away in February 2022.

What Is the Richest Family in Mexico?

The Slim Domit family is the richest family in Mexico. This is largely attributed to Carlos Slim Helu's fortune.

Is Mexico or Spain Richer?

Mexico's gross domestic product (GDP) as of 2021 was $1.27 trillion whereas Spain's was $1.43 trillion. By that valuation, Spain is richer than Mexico.

The Bottom Line

The nation of Mexico's top five wealthiest individuals rank from the eighth to 411th richest in the world. They've made their fortunes in telecommunications, mining, retail, media, food and beverage, and financial investments. Carlos Slim Helu is Mexico's wealthiest person, with a net worth of $93 billion.

Article Sources
Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy.

  1. Forbes. "Forbes World's Billionaires List-The Richest in 2023."

  2. CEOWorld. "Wealthiest People in Mexico (December 5, 2022)."

  3. América Móvil. "América Móvil’s Fourth Quarter of 2022 Financial and Operating Report," Page 2.

  4. Reuters. "Insight - Threat of Break-up Looms Over Mexican Telecoms Tycoon Slim."

  5. The Mexican Congress. "Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law," Page 57.

  6. Reuters. "America Movil Fined $128 Million by Mexican Telecoms Operator."

  7. Grupo México Transportes. "Companies."

  8. Grupo México Transportes. "2021 Annual Report," Page 166.

  9. Market Screener. "Grupo México SAB de CV."

  10. Forbes. "Mexico’s Richest Billionaires 2021."

  11. Grupo Elektra. "2021 Annual Report," Page 96.

  12. Grupo Salinas. "Our Founder."

  13. Forbes. "Forbes’ 37th Annual World’s Billionaires List: Facts And Figures 2023."

  14. The Mazatlan Post. "The 10 Richest Families in Mexico."

  15. The World Bank. "GDP (Current US$) - Mexico, Spain."

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