World's richest woman grows $33B richer in a year without running a company
Alice Walton, the richest woman in the world, does not run a company of her own but still gained US$33 billion in wealth within a year.
Alice L. Walton, the world's wealthiest woman, saw her net worth soar by $33 billion in a single year, reaching $134 billion by March, according to Forbes' annual list of billionaires. This substantial increase in wealth, despite her focus on art and philanthropy, occurred without any direct involvement in the operations of Walmart, the company she inherited from her late father Sam Walton, the founder of the retail giant.
Walton's wealth grew primarily due to the performance of Walmart shares, which rose by over 10% since the previous year. Her net worth had increased from $101 billion to $134 billion in this period, as reported by Fortune. The Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, established in 2021 in Bentonville, Arkansas, she founded to serve her hometown, admitted its inaugural class in 2025.
While tuition is covered for the first five graduating classes, students are responsible for paying fees and living expenses. Walton's generous donation of $250 million to the school is part of her broader initiative to enhance healthcare in Bentonville and beyond. Her financial success is primarily attributed to her stake in Walmart, the world's largest retailer, of which she is one of the largest shareholders.
Despite her busy pursuits, Walton has earlier ventured into various roles, including working as a children's clothing buyer at Walmart and establishing her own investment bank, Llama Co., in 1988. However, she has largely distanced herself from Walmart in recent years, not serving on its board, unlike her brothers Rob and Jim Walton.
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