World’s Richest Family Holds $432 Billion: Here’s What They Own

Sam Walton and his brother Bud Walton opened a small retail shop in Arkansas in 1962, vowing ‘the lowest prices anytime, anywhere’. In just over six decades, such a vow catapulted their business to be among the world’s largest retail chains and the Waltons became the richest family in US. In 2024, the Walton family was ranked the world’s richest, with a total of $432.4 billion net worth, according to Bloomberg. Their wealth surged, stocks jumping as high as 80% last year.

Walmart’s Expansion and Heritage

Walmart, which was established by Sam and Bud Walton, is still a retail giant despite some of the setbacks experienced over the years. After the brothers’ death over 30 years ago, the empire was shared among their seven children. These were Sam Walton’s children: Alice, Jim, and Rob and Bud Walton’s daughters, Ann and Nancy, and Christy, the wife of Sam’s son Rob. Despite its origins in retail, Walmart has ventured into other industries, which have added to the family’s enormous wealth.

Rob Walton’s Ventures and Role

Rob Walton, the oldest son of Sam Walton, succeeded his father as Walmart’s chairman following his death in 1992 until 2015. Rob retired from Walmart’s board in 2024. Rob had a net worth of $113.3 billion and invested in the Denver Broncos when he bought the football team for $4.7 billion in 2022 with his daughter and son-in-law.

Sports Ownership and Philanthropy

The Walton family’s activities in sports are not limited to Rob. Stan Kroenke, who is married to Bud Walton’s oldest daughter Ann, owns numerous top-level sports teams. They are the St. Louis Rams, Denver Nuggets, Arsenal Football Club, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Mammoth, and Colorado Rapids. Kroenke was also on Walmart’s board between 1996 and 2001.

Alice Walton’s Wealth and Interests

Sam Walton’s sole daughter, Alice Walton, is worth a net of $113 billion, making her the world’s richest woman. Unlike other relatives, Alice did not join Walmart’s board of directors. Instead, she is interested in art and philanthropy, establishing the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, in 2011.

Jim Walton’s Banking Empire

The family’s youngest child, Jim Walton, is chairman of the Arvest Bank Group belonging to the Walton family with an estimated $112.1 billion net value. His sister Alice Walton, a chair, extends their giving beyond the bank as chairwoman of the family philanthropic trust, the Walton Family Foundation.