Billionaire Profile
Jim Walton & family
Global Rank
#11

Image: Alger, Horatio, 1832-1899 | Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Jim Walton & family

CEO, Walmart
UNITED STATES
Real-Time Net Worth
$145.979B
Estimated based on Walmart stock value as of June 4, 2026
-2.06% (24h)
Age
77
Source
Walmart
Industry
Fashion Retail
Citizenship
UNITED STATES

Biography

Jim Walton & family is among the world's most closely watched billionaires from UNITED STATES, with an estimated fortune of $146B. The bulk of Jim Walton & family's wealth comes from Walmart, closely tied to Walmart. James Carr Walton, born June 7, 1948, is an American businessman and a key heir to the Walmart fortune. As the youngest son of Walmart founder Sam Walton, Jim has played a significant role in the company's success. His source of wealth is primarily derived from his stake in Walmart, the world's largest retailer. He received a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas. Jim's career involved involvement in Walmart's real estate dealings and later, a move to Walton Enterprises. With a net worth of approximately 142.5 billion USD as of February 2026, Jim Walton has established himself as one of the wealthiest individuals globally. He is actively involved in philanthropic efforts, particularly through the Walton Family Foundation. Key career milestones include Joined Walmart (1972); President of Walton Enterprises (1975); Walmart Board of Directors (2005); Walton Family Foundation (2008-2013). This profile documents verified holdings, career milestones, and multi-year net worth history drawn from Forbes rankings, company filings where available, and our editorial methodology. Readers use it to understand how public markets, private company stakes, and major business bets shape one of the largest personal fortunes on record. Wealth estimates move with stock prices, funding rounds, and disclosed transactions—figures on this page are research estimates, not cash balances. We publish year-by-year net worth history when verified data exists, link to primary sources, and update profiles when Forbes Real-Time Billionaires or major filings change the picture materially. For investors and researchers, the most useful reading pairs the headline number with ownership structure, geography, sector exposure, and the multi-year history chart on this page—especially during volatile markets when single-day moves can shift rankings without any operational change at the underlying companies.

Fact Checked
Verified by Editorial Team
Live Data
Updated 6/4/2026
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Wealth Over Time

Career Milestones

  1. 1

    Joined Walmart

    Began working for Walmart, involved in real estate dealings.

  2. 2

    President of Walton Enterprises

    Assumed the role of President at the family-owned holding company.

  3. 3

    Walmart Board of Directors

    Replaced his deceased brother, John, on the Wal-Mart Board of Directors.

  4. 4

    Walton Family Foundation

    Pledged about $2 billion to the Walton Family Foundation.

  5. 5

    Yielded Walmart Board Seat

    Yielded the seat on the Walmart board to his son, Steuart.

Net Worth History

YearNet Worth
2026$145.979B
2025$143B
2024$142.5B
2022$62.5B
2020$54.6B

Philanthropy

Walton Family Foundation

$$2B
Education, Healthcare, and Community Development

Pledged approximately $2 billion to the Walton Family Foundation.

In-Depth Profile

Jim Walton & family Net Worth in 2026

Jim Walton & family's fortune reflects listed equity, private company stakes, and other assets tied to Walmart. Our current estimate stands at $146B, updated from Forbes Real-Time Billionaires data and cross-checked against company ownership records where disclosed. Rankings can shift quickly when a core holding re-prices on public markets or a private valuation is revised after a funding round.

How Jim Walton & family Built Their Wealth

Jim Walton & family accumulated wealth through Walmart. Walmart remains the central operating company in most public estimates, meaning its valuation and Jim Walton & family's reported ownership stake drive much of the net worth figure. Early career decisions, founding roles, and subsequent scaling of operating businesses typically explain how concentrated equity positions became a global top-tier fortune.

Portfolio and Business Context

Shareholding tables, financial history charts, and linked company profiles on this page show how Jim Walton & family's wealth shifts with market cycles. Compare year-over-year net worth history, related billionaire profiles, and sector rankings for additional context. When multiple companies appear in the source-of-wealth field, treat each as a separate exposure: public tickers update daily, while private assets may revalue only when credible transactions or disclosures occur.

How We Research This Profile

Editors combine Forbes billionaire list data, company market capitalization, disclosed ownership where available, and historical net worth series stored in our database. We do not publish synthetic chart points—only documented years appear in financial history modules. See our methodology page for sourcing standards and the corrections page to flag material errors.

Career Milestones

1972

Joined Walmart

Began working for Walmart, involved in real estate dealings.

1975

President of Walton Enterprises

Assumed the role of President at the family-owned holding company.

2005

Walmart Board of Directors

Replaced his deceased brother, John, on the Wal-Mart Board of Directors.

2008-2013

Walton Family Foundation

Pledged about $2 billion to the Walton Family Foundation.

2016

Yielded Walmart Board Seat

Yielded the seat on the Walmart board to his son, Steuart.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Education, Healthcare, and Community Development

Walton Family Foundation

$2B

Pledged approximately $2 billion to the Walton Family Foundation.

Business Philosophy & Leadership

Notable Quotes

""There is only one boss-the customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else." -Sam Walton, Jim's father."

Latest News & Analysis

The House of Walmart: How the Walton Family Just Cemented Their Dynasty and Reshaped the American Dream
Analysis5/14/2026

The House of Walmart: How the Walton Family Just Cemented Their Dynasty and Reshaped the American Dream

The Waltons, custodians of the Walmart empire, have once again defied expectations, enriching themselves while navigating a rapidly changing retail landscape. This latest surge in wealth isn't just a financial footnote; it's a strategic maneuver, signaling a renewed commitment to dominance and a willingness to reshape the consumer economy in their image. Expect seismic shifts in retail, labor practices, and even geopolitical influence as the Waltons leverage their colossal fortune.

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Walton's Web: How the House of Walmart Still Rules, and the Shifting Sands of Georgian Billionaires
Analysis3/13/2026

Walton's Web: How the House of Walmart Still Rules, and the Shifting Sands of Georgian Billionaires

The Forbes list, a yearly ritual of wealth pronouncements, often obscures as much as it reveals. This year, the spotlight falls on the quiet power of the Walton family, a dynasty whose influence extends far beyond the aisles of Walmart. While the headlines tout the 'richest person,' the real story lies in the subtle power plays, the generational shifts, and the long game being masterfully executed from Bentonville, Arkansas, and increasingly, the Peach State.

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Walton's Mississippi Gambit: How a Billion-Dollar Dynasty Rewrites the Rules of the Game
Analysis3/11/2026

Walton's Mississippi Gambit: How a Billion-Dollar Dynasty Rewrites the Rules of the Game

The Forbes list, a yearly pronouncement of power and wealth, has once again crowned the titans. But this year, the spotlight isn't just on the usual suspects. It's on a quiet corner of Mississippi, where Jim Walton and his family are quietly amassing a fortune that will reshape the very fabric of American commerce. This is not just a story of money; it's a tale of legacy, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of domination, told by the man who sees the patterns.

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Walton's Gambit: How a University President, a Hotel, and Retail Redefine the Legacy and the Bottom Line
Analysis2/4/2026

Walton's Gambit: How a University President, a Hotel, and Retail Redefine the Legacy and the Bottom Line

Jim Walton and family are making a calculated move, not just a donation. The appointment of a new university president, coupled with ambitious real estate development, signals a strategic pivot with long-term implications for the institution and the Walton family's influence. Expect a ripple effect, reshaping not only the campus landscape but also the power dynamics within the education and real estate sectors.

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Billion-Dollar Babies: How Jim Walton and Family’s $453 Billion Empire Redefines Wealth and Power in the 21st Century
Analysis11/21/2025

Billion-Dollar Babies: How Jim Walton and Family’s $453 Billion Empire Redefines Wealth and Power in the 21st Century

Jim Walton and his family have amassed a fortune that dwarfs entire nations, a testament to relentless strategy and a changing retail landscape. Their dominance, fueled by the behemoth Walmart, isn't just about selling goods; it’s about controlling the flow of capital and the future of consumerism. This isn't just a news story; it's a stark reminder of the widening chasm between the ultra-rich and the rest, and a harbinger of the economic and societal shifts to come.

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Walton's Gambit: APA's Toast, a Legacy Forged in Philanthropy, and the Future of Influence
Analysis11/2/2025

Walton's Gambit: APA's Toast, a Legacy Forged in Philanthropy, and the Future of Influence

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's dinner honoring the Walton Family Foundation is more than a polite gesture; it's a strategic alignment of power. This event underscores the Walton's relentless pursuit of shaping future generations and securing their legacy beyond retail. It's a calculated move that demands closer inspection, revealing both the magnanimity and the strategic ambition that defines this family.

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