Ricardo Salinas Pliego facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ricardo Salinas Pliego
Ricardo Salinas Pliego
Born	Ricardo Benjamín Salinas Pliego (1955-10-19) 19 October 1955 (age 69) Mexico City, Mexico
Education	Tecnológico de Monterrey Tulane University (MBA)
Occupation	Businessman
Known for	Founder of Grupo Salinas
Title	Chairman & CEO of Grupo Salinas
Spouse(s)	Ninfa Sada Garza María Laura Medina
Children	6, including Ninfa
Parent(s)	Hugo Salinas Price Esther Pliego

Ricardo Benjamín Salinas Pliego (born 19 October 1955) is a well-known Mexican businessman. He is the founder and chairman of Grupo Salinas, a large group of companies. These companies work in many areas like phones, TV, money services, and stores.

He is one of the richest people in Mexico. In February 2021, his wealth was estimated to be around US$13.6 billion.

Ricardo Salinas Pliego's Career

Ricardo Salinas Pliego studied to become an accountant at Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM). After that, he earned a master's degree in business from Tulane University.

In 1981, he started working at a company called Elektra. He learned a lot about business during tough financial times in the 1980s. Between 1981 and 1986, he also tried out other businesses, like a restaurant.

Leading Grupo Elektra

In 1987, Ricardo took over from his father, Hugo Salinas Price, as the boss (CEO) of Grupo Elektra. This company started in 1906 as a furniture factory. Ricardo's great-grandfather, Benjamin Salinas, founded it.

When Ricardo became CEO, he focused Elektra on selling important things like appliances, electronics, and furniture. He helped many people in Mexico who had lower incomes. He did this by offering them credit to buy things and by providing different money services.

Expanding Financial Services

Grupo Elektra grew even more. In 2002, it became Mexico's largest company for consumer finance. This happened when it received a special license to open a bank. This was the first banking license given in Mexico in almost ten years.

The idea was to help people who were often ignored by other big businesses. This led to the creation of Banco Azteca. Today, Banco Azteca operates in Mexico, Panama, Guatemala, and Honduras. Later, Grupo Elektra also started Seguros Azteca (insurance) and Afore Azteca (retirement funds).

Work in Media and TV

Salinas is also the chairman of TV Azteca. This is one of the two biggest companies in the world that makes TV shows in Spanish. Under his leadership, TV Azteca helped end a long-standing TV monopoly in Mexico. This happened when the government sold off some media companies.

In 2001, TV Azteca launched Azteca America. This was a TV network in the United States for people who speak Spanish. It reached many cities like Los Angeles and New York City. Azteca America was sold in 2017.

Telecommunications and Other Ventures

In 2003, Salinas bought Iusacell, which was the first cell phone company in Mexico. Four years later, he combined it with Unefon, another cell phone company he started in 1999. In 2015, Grupo Salinas sold Iusacell to AT&T.

Today, his company Totalplay offers modern internet, TV, and phone services using fiber optics. Totalplay Empresarial also provides services like internet and video surveillance to businesses.

In 2012, Grupo Elektra bought Advance America. This company helps people in the United States get short-term loans. The Grupo Salinas now has over six thousand locations in Mexico, the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, and Panama.

Public Speaking and Bitcoin

Ricardo Salinas Pliego has spoken at important events like The World Economic Forum and TED. He talks about topics like how the world is connected, education, starting businesses, and freedom. He also writes a blog where he shares his ideas about business, politics, and culture. His articles have appeared in major newspapers like The New York Times.

In 2020, it was announced that Salinas had invested 10% of his money in Bitcoin.

Helping Others: Philanthropy

In 1997, Salinas started a non-profit organization called Fundación Azteca. This foundation helps with many social problems. It has ongoing projects in healthcare, food, education, and protecting the environment. Fundación Azteca raises a lot of money and has helped hundreds of thousands of people.

In April 2021, the Ricardo B. Salinas Pliego Center was opened. This center helps develop ideas to improve Mexico. It focuses on freedom, the rule of law, education, leadership, art, and innovation. Some of its programs include Arte & Cultura, which promotes art, and Kybernus, which helps train young leaders.

Companies of Grupo Salinas

• Grupo Salinas (The main group of companies).

• Retail and Financial Services
  • Grupo Elektra (Stores selling appliances and electronics).
    • Purpose Financial (Provides short-term loans).
    • Punto Casa de Bolsa (Stock brokerage).
  • Banco Azteca (Bank services).
    • Seguros Azteca (Insurance).
    • Afore Azteca (Retirement funds).
  • Tiendas Neto (Discount stores).

• Media
  • TV Azteca (Television network).
    • Azteca Guatemala (TV in Guatemala).
    • Azteca Honduras (TV in Honduras).

• Telecommunications
  • Totalplay (Internet, TV, and phone services).
  • Totalplay Empresarial (Services for businesses).

• Motorcycles
  • Italika (Motorcycle manufacturing).

• Other Companies
  • Upax (Logistics and services).
  • Agencia i (Advertising agency).
  • Promo Espacio (Outdoor advertising).
  • Grupo Dragón (Energy company).
  • Totalsec (Security services).

• Social Value
  • Fundación Azteca (Non-profit foundation).
  • Centro Ricardo B. Salinas Pliego (Center for ideas and development).
  • Kybernus (Leadership program).
  • Arte y Cultura Grupo Salinas (Art and culture promotion).

• Soccer
  • Mazatlán F.C. (Professional soccer team).

See also

In Spanish: Ricardo Salinas Pliego para niños

• List of Mexican billionaires