Carlos Slim is a Mexican business magnate and philanthropist who was formerly the richest person in the world from 2010 to 2013. He derives his fortune from extensive holdings in Mexican companies through his conglomerate Grupo Carso, which includes interests in telecommunications, industry, media, technology, retail, and more. Slim began investing and learning business practices from a young age, starting his first investment at age 11 and making his first stock purchase at age 12. He studied civil engineering and also taught mathematics, gaining financial skills that helped him build a vast business empire that now accounts for about 40% of listings on the Mexican stock exchange.