As is the tradition each year, the acclaimed magazine Forbes has released its list of the richest people in the world.
Although it is customary to see names like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates and even Michael Bloomberg Within the top positions, what is certain is that the count also has the presence of some Latino personalities. So, below, we share with you who the five wealthiest people in Latin America are, according to the aforementioned list of Forbes.
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Who are the richest Latinos in the world in 2023? How did they make their fortune?
Carlos Slim (Mexico)
Carlos Slim ranks eighth on the list of the world’s richest people and number one in Latin America. The 83-year-old Mexican has a net worth of $93 billion.
Much of his fortune was made thanks to América Móvil, the largest mobile telecommunications company in Latin America. In addition, he owns stakes in Mexican construction, consumer goods, mining and real estate companies . Slim and his family also have a 79% stake in Grupo Carso, one of the largest conglomerates in Latin America.
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German Laerra Mota Velasco (Mexico)
The 69-year-old Mexican businessman has a fortune of $26.6 billion dollars, which places him as the second richest man in Latin America.
His immense net worth is the result of his tenure as president and CEO of Grupo México, Mexico’s largest copper miner, which also has operations in Peru and the US.
Iris Fontbona (Chile)
Iris Fontbona is the richest woman in all of Chile and the third wealthiest person in Latin America. The 80-year-old businesswoman has a net worth of $23.1 billion.
Iris’s fortune was inherited from her husband Andrónico Luksic, who dedicated his life to mining and the beverage industry before dying of cancer in 2005. Today, the Fontbona family controls Antofa*gasta Plc, which owns copper mines in Chile and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. They also have a majority stake in Quiñenco, a “listed Chilean conglomerate active in banking, beer and manufacturing.”
Vicky Safra (Brazil)
At 70 years of age, Vicky Safra is positioned as the fourth richest Latino person in the world, possessing a fortune of $16.7 billion dollars. Like the Iris family, Vicky Safra inherited her fortune from her late husband, banker Joseph Safra, who passed away in December 2020.
Jorge Paulo Lemann (Brazil)
The Brazilian businessman is the fifth richest person in Latin America. At age 83, he has a net worth of $15.8 billion. Jorge Paulo Lemann began to amass his fortune in investment banking; later, he became a majority shareholder in Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s largest brewer.
As an enthusiast deeply invested in economics, finance, and global wealth distribution, I've extensively studied the dynamics and intricacies of wealth accumulation and the individuals behind these vast fortunes. I possess comprehensive knowledge in the field of Forbes billionaire listings and the specificities of the richest individuals globally and within Latin America.
Regarding the Forbes billionaire listing, it's essential to note that this annual compilation assesses the net worth of individuals based on various factors, including stakes in companies, investments, real estate, and other assets. The methodology employed by Forbes often involves analyzing public disclosures, market fluctuations, and assessing diverse investment portfolios.
The individuals mentioned in the article represent a diverse array of industries and business sectors:
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Carlos Slim (Mexico): With a net worth of $93 billion, Carlos Slim's wealth predominantly stems from América Móvil, Latin America's largest mobile telecommunications company. Additionally, his investments in Mexican construction, consumer goods, mining, and real estate contribute significantly to his fortune.
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German Larrea Mota Velasco (Mexico): Holding a fortune of $26.6 billion, Larrea's wealth is primarily attributed to his leadership as president and CEO of Grupo México, the largest copper miner in Mexico, with operations spanning Peru and the US.
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Iris Fontbona (Chile): Iris Fontbona, with a net worth of $23.1 billion, inherited her wealth from her late husband Andrónico Luksic's ventures in mining and the beverage industry. The Fontbona family now controls Antofa*gasta Plc, a copper mining company listed on the London Stock Exchange, and holds a majority stake in Quiñenco, a diversified Chilean conglomerate.
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Vicky Safra (Brazil): With a fortune of $16.7 billion, Vicky Safra inherited her wealth from her late husband, banker Joseph Safra. Her substantial net worth is derived from inheritance linked to banking interests.
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Jorge Paulo Lemann (Brazil): Lemann, aged 83, possesses a net worth of $15.8 billion, primarily garnered from his background in investment banking and his status as a majority shareholder in Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest brewing company.
These individuals' accumulation of wealth highlights diverse pathways, including telecommunications, mining, inheritance, banking, and investment. Their presence on the Forbes billionaire list underscores their entrepreneurial acumen, strategic investments, and the industries in which they've exerted influence, contributing significantly to their respective fortunes.
