Ricardo Salinas Pliego facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ricardo Salinas Pliego
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Ricardo Salinas Pliego
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Ricardo Benjamín Salinas Pliego
19 October 1955 Mexico City, Mexico
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| Education | Tecnológico de Monterrey Tulane University (MBA) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Founder of Grupo Salinas |
| Title | Chairman & CEO of Grupo Salinas |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | 6, including Ninfa |
| Parent(s) | Hugo Salinas Price Esther Pliego |
Ricardo Benjamín Salinas Pliego was born on October 19, 1955. He is a well-known Mexican businessman. He is the founder and chairman of Grupo Salinas. This is a large group of companies that work in many areas. These include phones, TV, money services, and stores.
He is one of the richest people in Mexico. In June 2025, his wealth was estimated to be about US$5.4 billion.
Contents
Ricardo Salinas Pliego's Journey
Early Life and Education
Ricardo Salinas Pliego studied to become an accountant at the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM). After that, he earned a master's degree in business administration (MBA) from Tulane University.
In 1981, he started working at Elektra as an import manager. He learned a lot about how the business worked. This was especially true during the tough financial times of the 1980s.
Leading Elektra
In 1987, Ricardo took over from his father, Hugo Salinas Price. He became the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Grupo Elektra. The company began in 1906. It was started by his great-grandfather, Benjamin Salinas. It was first a family business that made furniture.
When Ricardo became CEO, he focused Elektra on selling important products. These included appliances, electronics, and furniture. He helped many people in Mexico who had lower incomes. He did this by offering them credit to buy things. He also provided different money services.
Expanding into Banking and Media
Grupo Elektra grew even more. In 2002, it became Mexico's largest company for consumer finance. This happened when it received a special banking license. This was the first one given to a Mexican company in almost ten years.
The idea was to create new markets. They wanted 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).
Salinas is also the chairman of TV Azteca. This is one of the world's biggest companies for Spanish-language TV shows. Under his leadership, TV Azteca helped end a long-standing TV monopoly in Mexico. This happened when the government allowed private companies to own media.
In 2001, TV Azteca launched Azteca America. This was a Spanish-language TV network for Hispanic people in the United States. 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. This 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 internet and other services to businesses.
In 2012, Grupo Elektra bought Advance America. This company provides short-term loans in the United States. The Group now has over six thousand locations. These are in Mexico, the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, and Panama.
Ricardo Salinas has spoken at many important events. These include The World Economic Forum and TED. He talks about topics like how the world is connected, education, and starting new businesses. He also writes a blog and articles for newspapers. In 2020, it was announced that he had invested some of his money in Bitcoin.
Helping Others
Fundación Azteca
In 1997, Salinas started a non-profit organization called Fundación Azteca. This foundation helps with many social issues. It has campaigns for health, food, education, and protecting the environment. Fundación Azteca raises a lot of money. It has helped hundreds of thousands of people.
Ricardo B. Salinas Pliego Center
In April 2021, the Ricardo B. Salinas Pliego Center opened. This center helps develop ideas to improve Mexico. It focuses on six main areas: Freedom, Rule of Law, Education, Leadership, Art and Culture, and Innovation.
The center has programs like Arte & Cultura. This program promotes art and culture to improve people's lives. Caminos de la Libertad is a space to think about freedom. Kybernus helps train young leaders.
Companies of Grupo Salinas
- Grupo Salinas (the main group)
- Retail and Financial Services:
- Grupo Elektra
- Purpose Financial
- Punto Casa de Bolsa
- Banco Azteca
- Seguros Azteca
- Afore Azteca
- Tiendas Neto
- Grupo Elektra
- Media:
- TV Azteca
- Azteca Guatemala
- Azteca Honduras
- TV Azteca
- Telecommunications:
- Totalplay
- Totalplay Empresarial
- Motorcycles: Italika
- Other companies:
- Upax
- Agencia i
- Promo Espacio
- Grupo Dragón
- Totalsec
- Social Value:
- Fundación Azteca
- Centro Ricardo B. Salinas Pliego
- Kybernus
- Arte y Cultura Grupo Salinas
- Soccer:
- Mazatlán F.C.
See also
In Spanish: Ricardo Salinas Pliego para niños
- List of Mexican billionaires
