Walton family (2024)

About Walton family

  • The Waltons are the richest family in America thanks to their stake in Walmart, the world's largest retailer by sales.
  • About half of Walmart's stock is held by seven heirs of founders Sam Walton (d. 1992) and his brother James "Bud" (d. 1995).
  • Heirs include Sam's three living children--Rob, Jim and Alice--his daughter-in-law Christy and her son Lukas, plus Bud's two daughters, Ann and Nancy.
  • Rob Walton served as chairman for more than two decades and remains on the board, alongside current chairman Greg Penner, his son-in-law.
  • The family also owns Arvest Bank, which operates 16 banks in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas.

Wealth History

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Personal Stats

Fortune Founded
1962
Source of Wealth
Walmart
Company Headquarters
Bentonville, Arkansas

Did you know

In 2011 Alice Walton opened the Crystal Bridges Museum in the Waltons' hometown of Bentonville, Ark., featuring works by the likes of Rockwell, Pollock and Warhol.

Sam Walton gave his kids 80% of his Walmart stake decades before it became a multibillion-dollar business, sidestepping major estate taxes when he died.

Related People & Companies

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Jim Walton & family

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Walton family (2)

Walmart

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Walton family (3)

Alice Walton

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Rob Walton & family

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Marissa Mayer

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More on Forbes

As a seasoned expert in finance and business, I can confidently delve into the intricacies of the information provided about the Walton family, shedding light on various concepts related to their immense wealth and business endeavors.

The article discusses the Waltons, the wealthiest family in America due to their substantial stake in Walmart, the largest retailer globally. The evidence supporting this claim lies in the fact that approximately half of Walmart's stock is owned by seven heirs of the company's founders, Sam Walton and his brother James "Bud." The heirs include Sam's three living children, Rob, Jim, and Alice, as well as other family members.

One key concept highlighted is the family's influence on Walmart. Rob Walton, for instance, served as the chairman for over two decades and continues to be on the board. This familial connection emphasizes the long-standing involvement of the Walton family in the management and decision-making processes of Walmart.

Additionally, the article mentions the family's ownership of Arvest Bank, operating across several states. This diversification into the banking sector showcases the family's strategic approach to wealth management and business expansion.

The wealth history section provides insight into the family's financial standing over the years, with Forbes consistently ranking them as America's richest family. The mention of Sam Walton distributing 80% of his Walmart stake to his children before the company's meteoric rise underscores his foresight in estate planning, avoiding significant estate taxes upon his death.

Furthermore, the article touches on personal details, such as the opening of the Crystal Bridges Museum by Alice Walton in Bentonville, Arkansas. This philanthropic venture demonstrates the family's commitment to cultural and artistic contributions in their hometown.

In terms of the geographical aspect, the company headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, is highlighted. This reinforces the family's deep roots in the region and their connection to the community.

To sum up, the concepts covered include wealth management, family business dynamics, strategic diversification, philanthropy, and the geographical ties of the Walton family to Walmart and the broader community. This comprehensive analysis offers a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted aspects of the Walton family's financial empire.

Walton family (2024)

FAQs

Does the Walton family still own Walmart? ›

The Walton family owns about 45% of Walmart's outstanding shares through the trust and their main investment vehicle, Walton Enterprises, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Alice, Jim and Rob Walton have a combined fortune of $274 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Who is the grandchild of the richest Walton family? ›

Lukas Tyler Walton (born September 19, 1986) is an American billionaire heir. He is the grandson of Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart. San Diego, California, U.S.

What was the religion of the Walton family? ›

Walton supported various charitable causes. He and Helen were active in 1st Presbyterian Church in Bentonville; Sam served as an Elder and a Sunday School teacher, teaching high school age students. The family made substantial contributions to the congregation.

Who owns the other 50% of Walmart? ›

It is a publicly traded family-owned business, as the company is controlled by the Walton family. Sam Walton's heirs own over 50 percent of Walmart through both their holding company Walton Enterprises and their individual holdings.

Who is the real owner of Walmart? ›

The Waltons are the richest family in America thanks to their stake in Walmart, the world's largest retailer by sales. An estimated 45% of Walmart's stock is held by the families of seven heirs of founders Sam Walton (d. 1992) and his brother Bud (d. 1995).

Where do the Walmart heirs live? ›

BENTONVILLE, Ark. —

The Walton Family is the richest family in the world. It owes its wealth to the Walmart company started by brothers Sam & Bud Walton in Northwest Arkansas more than six decades ago.

What family is richer than Elon Musk? ›

Forbes found that there are 45 American families with fortunes exceeding $10 billion. The Walmart founder Sam Walton's heirs are richer than Elon Musk, with a $267 billion fortune. The Mars, Marriott, Hearst, Koch, Lauder, Pritzker, and Rockefeller families are all on the list.

Did the Waltons sell 4.5 billion of Walmart stock? ›

The Walton Family Holdings Trust made three separate sales over a three-day period. BENTONVILLE, Ark.

Are there any Trillionaires? ›

As of today, no billionaire is within striking distance of becoming a trillionaire. Elon Musk is, at present, the world's richest person, with a net worth of $206 billion, while Jeff Bezos is in the number two position with $179 billion, according to Bloomberg.

Who is the most powerful family in the world? ›

The Walton family with $259.7 billion. The Hermès family with $150.9 billion. The Mars family with $141.9 billion. The Al Thani family with $133 billion.

Were the Baldwin sisters real? ›

The Baldwin Sisters, for example - those mischievous ladies who liked to nip from a bottle hidden in a purse - were taken from real life. In Schuyler, they were really a mother and a daughter whose fondness for their own homemade ``recipe'' - moonshine - was well known.

Which Walton brother died? ›

James Lawrence "Bud" Walton (December 20, 1921 – March 21, 1995) was the brother of Sam Walton and executive of Walmart.

Who in the Walton family is still alive? ›

The Only Major Actors Still Alive From The Waltons
  • Richard Thomas (John 'John-Boy' Walton Jr.) CBS. ...
  • Michael Learned (Olivia Walton) CBS. ...
  • Jon Walmsley (Jason Walton) CBS. ...
  • Judy Norton (Mary Ellen Walton) CBS. ...
  • Mary Elizabeth McDonough (Erin Walton) CBS. ...
  • Eric Scott (Benjamin Ben Walton) ...
  • David W. ...
  • Kami Cotler (Elizabeth Walton)
Nov 26, 2023

How many of the real Waltons are still alive? ›

Although three of the older family members — Grandma Walton (Ellen Corby), Grandpa Walton (Will Geer) and dad John (Ralph Waite) — have passed away in real life, the seven Walton children are alive and well, and even grandparents themselves!

How many Waltons own Walmart? ›

Jim Walton, Alice Walton, and Rob Walton are the top three individual shareholders of Walmart. Walmart's largest institutional investors include the John T. Walton Estate Trust, Vanguard Group, and BlackRock.

Who owns Walmart other than the Waltons? ›

The largest shareholder of Walmart is the Walton family, who owns more than half of all Walmart shares. The second largest shareholder in Walmart is the Vanguard Group, who holds around 5% of total Walmart shares.

Who owns the most shares of Walmart? ›

FAQ
  • Jim Walton owns the most shares of Walmart (WMT).
  • The ownership structure can impact the company's decision making, as large institutional investors may exert influence on the company's management and can also affect the company's stock price with their buying and selling patterns.

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