To this day, the Walton family is regarded as one of the wealthiest families in the world. Their collected fortunes are derived from founding one of the largest business enterprises and retailers in America, Walmart.
So with such a status, you may wonder, what is the Walton family’s net worth? Take a guess, and we’ll tell you the answer!
Walton Family Net Worth!
It is estimated that the combined net worth of the Walton family is $250 billion, making them the richest family in the world. Over 50% of Walmart’s shares are owned by Sam Walton’s living children Rob, Jim, Alice, and (in-law) Christy Walton, each worth $63.8-$66.3 billion.
If you’d like to know how the Walton family generated such extravagant fortunes, their current sources of income, and which family member is the richest, keep reading!
Who Is Sam Walton?
Born in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, Samuel Moore Walton, or commonly known as Sam Walton, is an American retail entrepreneur who gained universal fame by founding Walmart in 1962.
After managing a five-and-dime store in Arkansas during the 40s with his brother, leading to doubling sales at his Ben Franklin franchise, Walton decided to launch his own discount store.
Unlike other discount retail proprietors, Sam Walton adopted an ‘out-of-the-way’ tactic by operating clusters of shops in small towns.
The company, formerly known as Wal-Mart, used its own transportation service, which enabled Walton to acquire stock in bulk and sell for cheap.
As Walmart sustained tremendous growth within its first 21 years, Sam Walton founded Sam’s Club, a warehouse club that runs on a membership basis.
In the 90s, Walton began to expand his business models into the Mexican, Canadian, Chinese, German, and English markets.
Sam and his spouse Helen Robson Kemper greeted three children called Jim, Rob, John (1946-2005), and Alice Walton. His 3 living children inherited Sam’s legacy and business inheritance.
How Did The Waltons Start Making Money?
The Walton brothers Sam and Bud started making money through ‘Waltons,’ a single five-and-dime store. With a knowingly successful business model, Sam Walton opened the first Wal-Mart store.
By 1967 (5 years after launch), the Walton family had already introduced 24 new Walmart stores generating around $12.7 million in sales.
The company elevated sales by staying true to its original concept of offering everyday brand-named goods at affordable prices, which massively boosted sales.
The Waltons initially funded Walmart by reinvesting their revenue and borrowing; however, in 1970, they transformed Walmart into a publicly-traded business, listing it on the New York stock exchange.
The stock opened at $16.50 per share however, the family retained over 60% of its total stakes. The Waltons earned an approximation of $5 million from the initial stock listing!
How Much Of Walmart Is Owned By The Walton Family In [currentyear]?
The Walton family owned over 50% of Walmart’s total shares. Walton Enterprises LLC owns 1.0 billion shares, equivalent to 35% of the total shares.
In 2020, the family transferred more than 4 million shares into the Walton Family Holdings Trust, representing 15% of the business’s total shares, the highest commission of any other stakeholder.
S.Robson (Rob) Walton, the current chairman, owns 2.6 million Walmart shares equating to 0.09% of the company’s total shares and a market value of $330.6 million.
Jim Walton has direct ownership of 6.3 million shares worth $730 million. Alice Walton possesses direct ownership totals of 6.7 million shares worth around $776 million.
Does The Walton Family Still Earn Money From Walmart?
Yes, the Waltons are said to make around $100 million per day from Walmart revenue. That’s $70,000 per minute and up to $4 million per hour!
As Walton Enterprises LLC and the Walton Family Holdings Trust own over 50% of Walmart’s total shares, they earn over $3 billion in dividends each year.
Which Walton Family Member Has The Highest Net Worth?
The Walton family has a collective net worth of approximately $250 billion, but which Walton is worth the most? Around his death in 1992, Sam Walton held a net worth of $8.6 billion, the equivalent of $16 billion today.
Samuel Robson ‘Rob’ Walton, Sam Walton’s eldest son and former chairman of Walmart, has a net value of $62.8 billion. His younger brother, James ‘Jim’ Walton, carries a net worth of $64.3 billion.
However, his only daughter, Alice Walton, tops the board with a net worth of $66.3 billion.
Are The Waltons The Richest Family On Earth?
Over recent years, the Walton family’s wealth has skyrocketed. Not only are they the wealthiest family in America, but they top the charts as the richest family in the world.
In just one year (2020-2021), the family’s joint net worth soared from $191 billion to around $250 billion.
The Waltons holds a significant lead as the world’s wealthiest family. In the second place, you’ll find the Mars family (owners of Mars) with $120 billion, the Koch family (Koch Industries) with $109.7 billion, and Al Saud (Saudi Royal Family) with $95 billion.
What Are The Walton Family’s Income Streams?
Walton’s primary source of income is undoubtedly generated by the Walmart Corporation formed of Walmart U.S., Walmart International, Murphy USA Gas Stations, and global eCommerce sites. The family earns over $3 billion in dividends from Walmart shares.
However, individual family members undertake personal investments that produce generous income streams.
For example, Steuart Walton, son of Jim Walton and former Walmart board member, founded a company that manufactures aerobatic and touring planes.
Meanwhile, having founded a museum in Arkansas in 2011, Alice Walton invests her wealth into artistic masterpieces.
The Crystal Bridges Museum features works from world-famous artists, including Warhol, Rockwell, and Rothko.
On the other hand, Rob Walton collects auto-mobiles, he handed his seat as the Walmart chairman over to his son-in-law, Greg Penner. Furthermore, Jim Walton became the CEO of Arvest Bank, later taking a chairman position.
What Is Walmart’s Net Worth?
We know Walmart is the Walton family’s primary source of wealth but have you ever wondered what the company itself is worth?
Walmart’s current net worth is valued at a staggering $328 billion! In recent years, Walmart generated a total annual income of $559 billion.
Walmart’s wealth is derived from over 11,445 retail stores across the world. If we break it down:
- 4,743 stores are located in America, with at least one in every state.
- 408 stores in Canada
- 632 Walmart-owned Asda stores in the United Kingdom
- 2,634 in Mexico
- 434 stores, including Hypermarkets, in China
- 423 stores located in African countries
- 358 stores in Chile
- 328 stores in Japan
- 29 in India
Where Does Rob, Jim, Or Alice Rank On Forbes Richest People List?
We live in a time where avid consumerism perseveres the extravagant wealth of an elite selection of entrepreneurs. As the Waltons are branded the richest family on Earth, we look at how well family members chart alone.
According to the prestigious Forbes list of wealth, Alice Walton ranks as the 10th richest person in America but the richest woman in America! Following up in 11th place is Jim Walton, and in 12th is Rob Walton. Jeff Bezos sits securely in the number one spot.
However, when we look at the richest people in the world, Alice Walton takes 17th place, Jim Walton takes 18th, and Rob Walton sits 19th.
To learn more, also see our other guides on Walmart statistics, Walmart’s competitive advantages, why Walmart is called Wally World, and why Walmart failed in Germany.
Conclusion
The Walton family collectively holds a net worth of approximately $250 billion. Founded by Sam Walton in 1962, the family still owns over 50% of Walmart’s total shares, receiving over $3 billion in annual dividends. Sam Walton’s three living children Rob, Jim, and Alice, carry a net worth of $66-68 billion. The Waltons are the wealthiest family in the world.
