TIME/CNN presents Global Influentials, the top 25 business people worldwide

Roberto Velazquez/AP

23. Carlos Slim
Mexican Mogul

Carlos Slim built a business empire and the largest fortune in Latin America by turning around railroads, restaurant chains and retail outlets, mostly in his native Mexico. He also controls Telefonos de Mexico, the country's leading telecom, which last year spun off a wireless subsidiary. Slim, 61, rescued the sinking Internet service provider Prodigy in 1997, adding a Spanish interface and helping boost membership past 3 million from fewer than 200,000. Not bad for a guy who says he is afraid of his PC.

CNN Video: Watch a short profile of Carlos Slim
Related Link: www.prodigy.com

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