World's Richest Man Buys New York Townhouse for $44 Million

The Wall Street Journal reports that the world's richest man has paid $44 Million for the Duke-Semans Mansion in New York. 

Carlos Slim, the self-made Mexican billionaire with an estimated net worth of $53.5 billion, purchased the townhouse at 1001 Fifth Avenue for $44 Million in a private deal from the Seller, Tamir Sapir.

Tamir Sapir, a former cab-driver who made a fortune in Russian oil, has an estimated worth of $1.4 billion.

Built in 1901, the 20,000-square-foot mansion currently has a doctor's office in the basement, a five-story main residence, a penthouse duplex on top, 12 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, and 11 wood-burning fireplaces.

The Duke-Semans Mansion was last sold for $40 Million in 2006, which at the time was a record price for a Manhattan town house.