Alice Walton, 74, the only daughter of Walmart founder late Sam Walton, has reclaimed her title as the richest woman in the world with net worth exceeding $90 billion. Alice Walton, momentarily lost her top spot to Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, 71, the heiress of French cosmetics giant L’Oreal, now with $84.7 billion net worth according to the Forbes real-time list of billionaires globally.
Walmart was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1972. The company was originally geographically limited to the South and lower Midwest, but it had stores from coast to coast by the early 1990s. Later it expanded its business successfully across the US locations and further outside the US in countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, Central America, South America, and China.
While her wealth primarily comes from her family’s stake in Walmart, the retail giant that revolutionized the global economy, Walton has made her mark in the realms of philanthropy, art, and business. Below is the list of the top five wealthiest women in the world according to Forbes data as of September 17, 2024.
Alice Walton: A Legacy of Wealth
Born in 1949 in Newport, Arkansas, Alice Walton grew up surrounded by the entrepreneurial spirit of her father, Sam Walton, who founded Walmart in 1962. The company grew from a single store in Arkansas to become the world’s largest retailer, a status it still holds today. The Walton family remains at the heart of Walmart’s ownership, with Alice controlling a significant share of its stock.
Unlike her brothers, who have been actively involved in running Walmart, Alice chose a different path. Her journey has focused on art, philanthropy, and finance rather than retail management. Still, her vast wealth remains inextricably tied to Walmart’s success. As of 2024, Walmart continues to dominate the retail industry with over 10,000 stores worldwide and a market valuation that keeps Walton and her family among the wealthiest in the world.
Philanthropy and Public Good
While art is her passion, Alice Walton has also channeled her wealth into philanthropic endeavors. She is a major donor to causes such as education, health, and cultural development, following in the footsteps of her family’s tradition of giving back to the community. The Walton Family Foundation, in which Alice plays a significant role, has donated billions of dollars to initiatives across the United States, from improving public schools to supporting environmental conservation projects.
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One of the most remarkable facts about Alice Walton is that she has donated over $5.7 billion to various charitable foundations including the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which she founded in November 2011 in Bentonville, Arkansas. Her philanthropy focuses on art, education, and health, and these donations have had a significant impact on many lives.