Mexico's Billionaires Hit Record $267B in Combined Wealth

Mexico's wealthiest citizens just had their best year yet, with their combined fortunes jumping by more than half in a single year.

Twenty-four Mexican business leaders earned spots on Forbes' 2026 Billionaires List, collectively worth $267.3 billion. That's a 61.4% increase from 2025 and marks the highest combined wealth for Mexican billionaires in the list's history.

The leader remains Carlos Slim Helú, whose $125 billion fortune places him at No. 16 globally. The 86-year-old telecom magnate, who held the title of world's richest person for four straight years ending in 2013, has seen his wealth double over the past five years.

Slim's empire spans telecommunications through América Móvil and Telmex, plus interests in construction, energy, real estate and finance. His personal net worth now equals 6.7% of Mexico's entire GDP and surpasses Bill Gates' fortune.

Mining magnate Germán Larrea Mota Velasco came in second among Mexican billionaires at No. 30 globally. The 72-year-old head of Grupo México saw his wealth soar 134% in one year to reach $67.1 billion, making him one of the fastest-growing fortunes on the entire Forbes list.

Other prominent Mexicans on the list include Alejandro Baillères Gual of Palacio de Hierro fame and María Asunción Aramburuzabala, who stands as Mexico's only female billionaire. Aramburuzabala made her fortune through Grupo Modelo, the brewing giant behind Corona beer.

The Ripple Effect

The combined wealth of Mexico's billionaires now exceeds the country's entire public sector external debt of $234 billion. While wealth concentration remains a complex issue, these fortunes represent major employers and investors in Mexico's economy, with companies like América Móvil, Grupo México and Grupo Modelo providing hundreds of thousands of jobs across telecommunications, mining, transportation, retail and manufacturing sectors.

The dramatic wealth increase also reflects growing confidence in Mexico's business environment and its role in global supply chains. As nearshoring brings more manufacturing to Mexico, the country's business leaders are positioned to benefit from increased foreign investment and economic growth.

Mexico's presence on the global billionaires list continues to grow, showing the country's rising economic influence on the world stage.