10 of the richest people in Latin America

You thought all the wealthy people of the world were from United States and Europe?

Leer en Español:Los 10 más ricos de América Latina

10. Eduardo Saverin (Brazil)

Eduardo Saverin, co-founder of Facebook back in 2004, has an estimated 9.8 billion dollars making him the world’s #170th richest person. His wealth comes from his shares in Facebook and is now a venture capitalist and Co-founder of B Capital Group.

9. Alberto Bailleres Gonzalez & family (Mexico)

Alberto Bailleres is worth 11.8 billion dollars; the #123rd richest person. Bailleres is the head of Industrias Penoles, one of the largest silver mines. He diversified his operations to include the ownership of Grupo Palacio de Hierro (department store), Grupo Nacional Provincial (insurance), Grupo Profuturo (pension fund) and a stake in FEMSA (Mexican Coke bottling)

8. Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulo (Colombia)

Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulo has under his possession an estimated 12.1 billion dollars; he is the world’s #120th richest person. His banking company Grupo Aval controls 1/3rd of the banking industry in Colombia, while also owning the South American country’s most read newspaper, El Tiempo.

7. Carlos Alberto Sicupira (Brazil)

Carlos Alberto Sicupira has 13.5 billion dollars both in his accounts and through different assets. Sicupira is the world’s #96th richest person. “Beto” Sicupira owns 3% of InBev, the world’s largest brewery. Along with his Brazilian billionaire business partners Jorge Paulo Lemann and Marcel Herrmann Tellez he founded 3G Capital that owns Restaurant Brands International, which leads Burger King and Tim Hortons. He co-owns Heinz & Company, which merged with Kraft to form KraftHeinz, the fifth largest food and beverage company in the world.

6. German Larrea Mota Velasco (Mexico)

German Larrea has 14 billion dollars to his name making him the #82nd richest person. His net worth comes from the ownership of 50% of Grupo Mexico, the country’s largest mining and infrastructure Company. He owns a 16% stake in Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico.

5. Iris Fontbona (Chile)

Iris Fontbona is worth 15.5 billion dollars making her one of the first women to make the list as the #84th richest person. Her net worth comes from Andrónico Luksic, mining and beverage tycoon who died in 2005 and led Antofagasta Plc. Iris Fontbona left Andrónico Luksic’s fortune to their sons: Jean-Paul, Andronico, and Guillermo. Iris Fontbona is a philanthropist.

4. Marcel Herrmann Telles (Brazil)

Marcel Hermann has 15.4 billion dollars making him the #73rd richest person on Earth. His net worth derives from his 5% ownership of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s largest brewery. He is also part of 3G Capital.

3. Joseph Safra (Brazil)

Joseph Safra has 22.6 billion dollars to his name ranking him as the #37^th richest person. His net worth derives from being recognized as one of the best bankers. His bank Banco Safra serves high net worth clients; he’s also the owner of J. Safra Sarasin bank in Switzerland, Safra National Bank of New York, and 50% of Chiquita Brands International.

2. Jorge Paulo Lemann (Brazil)

Jorge Paulo Lemann has 30.9 billion dollars, is the world’s #22 richest person. His net worth derives from being part of 3G Capital.

1. Carlos Slim Helu (Mexico)

Carlos Slim Helu has to his name 70.2 billion dollars ending the list of Latin American wealth in the #6^th spot.  His net worth derives from controlling America Movil, the largest mobile telecom firm, shares in Telmex (Mexico’s only phone company), and 17% of the New York Times, shares in construction, consumer goods, and mining.

**Real-time Net Worth via Forbes 

Latin American Post | David Eduardo Rodríguez

Copy edited by Susana Cicchetto