The Walton family, who were named the richest family in the world by Bloomberg last year, are reportedly worth billions
Liam McInerney Content Editor and Liam Ryder Digital Production Editor
12:43, 30 May 2025
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - JUNE 1: Members of the Walton family (L-R) Alice, Jim and Rob, wait with a stagehand to go onstage during the annual shareholders meeting event on June 1, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The shareholders week brings thousands of shareholders and associates from around the world to meet at the company's global headquarters. (Photo by Rick T. Wilking/Getty Images)
Members of the Walton family (L-R) Alice, Jim and Rob with a stagehand during a shareholders event in 2018(Image: Rick T. Wilking/Getty Images))
The world's richest family is now worth an estimated £327billion - but the journey to their extraordinary wealth began in much humbler times.
The Walton clan, founders of Walmart, have a fortune that outstrips the GDP of two European nations combined. Back in 1962, Sam Walton and his brother Bud Walton kicked off what would become a retail empire by establishing Walmart.
Today, their seven heirs are sitting pretty at the top of the global rich list. Bloomberg named the Waltons as the planet's wealthiest family last year, with their eye-watering net worth clocking in at a colossal $432billion (around £327billion).
This overshadows the combined GDP of Greece and Hungary at $421billion, not to mention Iran's GDP of $404billion. But Walmart started from modest roots before it exploded into one of the world's leading retailers.
Sam Walton receiving the presidential Medal of Freedom award on March 17, 1992 from President Bush. Walton was founder of Wal-Mart Inc. headquartered in Bentonville.
Sam Walton receiving the presidential Medal of Freedom award on March 17, 1992(Image: Getty Images)
Now boasting over 10,750 stores globally, including a whopping 4,605 in the US alone, Walmart soared thanks to the down-to-earth approach of its founder, Sam. Retail guru Walter F.Loeb once remarked: "This is a man who was at work at 4:30 in the morning, had warmth and charm throughout the day, an interest in his customers, and who treated his associates well as persons, not just as clerks and salespeople."
Sam passed away in 1992 at the age of 72 in the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Hospital, leaving the thriving business in the hands of his kin. His sibling Bud, who played a pivotal role in Walmart's rise to retail stardom, followed him in death three years on, reports the Express.
Rob Walton, chairman of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and son of founder Sam Walton, appears on stage during the annual shareholder meeting in Fayetteville, Arkansas, U.S., on Friday, June 3, 2011. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. renewed plans to buy back as much as $15 billion of its shares, potentially bolstering the Walton family's control of the world's largest retailer. Photographer: Beth Hall/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Rob Walton in June 2011, during his time as chairman of Walmart(Image: Beth Hall/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Rob, the eldest offspring of Sam, took over as chairman after his father's passing, holding the reins until 2015 before hanging up his boots last year. His son-in-law, Greg Penner, with a staggering net worth of $113billion (around £85billion) according to Forbes, has since taken the helm as chairman.
Greg, together with his family, splashed out a whopping $4.7billion (£3.5billion) in 2022 to acquire the Denver Broncos. The Walton family's wealth is further beefed up by ownership stakes in seven sports teams, including Premier League club Arsenal.
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - JUNE 1: Members of the Walton family (L-R) Rob, Alice and Jim speak during the annual Walmart shareholders meeting event on June 1, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The shareholders week brings thousands of shareholders and associates from around the world to meet at the company's global headquarters. (Photo by Rick T. Wilking/Getty Images)
Rob, Alice and Jim Walton on stage at a Walmart shareholders meeting event on June 1, 2018(Image: Rick T. Wilking/Getty Images)
This sporting empire extends thanks to Ann, who inherited a share of the empire upon her father Bud's death. She is married to billionaire sports tycoon Stan Kroenke, whose portfolio boasts the North London football club, along with the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, and Colorado Rapids.
On the other hand, Bud's other daughter, Nancy Walton Laurie, flaunted her immense riches by revealing her $300million (£227million) superyacht, Kaos, a testament to the Walmart heirs' vast fortune. She snapped up the vessel back in 2018 from Qatari royalty and it stands as the largest yacht owned by a woman.
The superyacht, Kaos, belongs to Walmart heiress Nancy Walton Laurie
The superyacht, Kaos, belongs to Walmart heiress Nancy Walton Laurie(Image: Greg Martin)
Post-purchase, she had it revamped into a 361-foot luxury behemoth by Oceanco, complete with accommodations for 24 guests in regal cabins. But in 2023, the yacht became a target for climate activists, who defaced it with spray paint while moored in Ibiza.
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The environmental group Futuro Vegetal staged a protest, brandishing a banner that declared: "You consume, others suffer." Earlier this year, Alice Walton, the daughter of Sam Walton, was crowned the wealthiest woman in the world, boasting a staggering fortune of around £76.3 billion. She now holds the title of the 15th richest individual globally.
Her brother, Rob, and his family, sit at 11th place, while Jim and his clan are the 12th wealthiest on the planet. Recently, Alice splashed out on a swanky £18 million flat in New York City. The plush pad spans a whopping 6,346 square feet, featuring five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a grand staircase, and 52 windows offering breathtaking views of the cityscape.