Telecom tycoon
who pounced on privatization of
Mexico's national telephone company
in the 1990s becomes world's richest
person for first time after coming
in third place last year. Net worth
up $18.5 billion in a year. Recently
received regulatory approval to
merge his fixed-line assets into
American Movil, Latin America's
biggest mobile phone company. His
construction conglomerate, Impulsora
del Desarrollo y el Empleo, builds
roads and energy infrastructure.
Son of a Lebanese immigrant also
owns stakes in financial group Inbursa,
Bronco Drilling, Independent News
& Media, Saks and New York Times
Co. Newspaper outfit's stock popped
in early March on talk he might
buy a controlling stake; he denies
the rumor. Donating $65 million
to fund a research project in genomic
medicine with American billionaire
philanthropist Eli Broad. |
