Mexican ‘world’s richest person’

Mexico’s telecoms tycoon Carlos Slim has overtaken Bill Gates to become the world’s richest person, according to a respected Mexican financial website.

Slim is now worth $67,8 bn, above Microsoft founder Gates’ $59,2bn, Sentido Comun says. It said Slim’s wealth has rocketed into top place after the recent 27% surge in the share price of his largest company, America Movil.He has a 33% stake in the firm, Latin America’s largest mobile phone network.Slim, whose business interests are based in Mexico City, is the 67-year-old son of Lebanese immigrants.He started his business life in property before moving on to invest in a stock brokerage, a bottling company, and, more recently, the telephone sector.BBCIt said Slim’s wealth has rocketed into top place after the recent 27% surge in the share price of his largest company, America Movil.He has a 33% stake in the firm, Latin America’s largest mobile phone network.Slim, whose business interests are based in Mexico City, is the 67-year-old son of Lebanese immigrants.He started his business life in property before moving on to invest in a stock brokerage, a bottling company, and, more recently, the telephone sector.BBC