Other than her own sister-in-law, no woman in America can eclipse Alice Walton’s affluence. According to Forbes in 2008, she is worth $23.2 billion, very well making her the richest woman in the US. She ranks sixth richest overall. Her wealth has its origins in the vast Walmart Stores fortune.

Alice Walton is the youngest child of Sam and Helen Walton. In 1962, when she was 13, her father founded Walmart as a single shop at Bentonville, Arkansas. That store has become the largest company and retailer in the world, with over $370 billion in sales.

For a while, Alice Walton worked at Walmart after graduating with a BA in Economics and Finance from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Alice Walton then used that experience to land a job at First Commerce Corporation as an equity analyst. Later on, she served as the Arvest Bank Group’s vice-chairperson.

Alice Walton opened a business of her own, an investment bank called Llama, in 1988. Eventually, Llama was forced to fold in 1998, on account of soaring turnover and the ill-timed bond market crash.

At any rate, Alice Walton has often shown a concern predisposed to her Arkansan community. In 1990, Alice Walton was elected the Northwest Arkansas Council’s first chairperson. Through the nonprofit, she paved the way for the construction of the local airport, with her funding the seed capital. In honor of her efforts, the terminal building of the airport was christened after her. Also, Alice Walton is financially responsible for the 160-acre Camp War Eagle in Bentonville’s outskirts. Ideally, campers here come from all socioeconomic strata and races, with the less affluent ones receiving scholarships and other incentives.

Outside her philanthropy, Alice Walton is fond of cutting horses that she raises in her 3,200-acre ranch, Rocking W.

Alongside her steeds, Alice Walton is smitten with artworks. Her pet project nowadays is an art museum in Bentonville called Crystal Bridges. When it opens in 2010, it will have housed holdings collected and donated by Alice Walton, in behalf of the Walton Family Foundation. Moshe Safdie and Associates Inc. has been delegated to design the edifice.

Today, Alice Walton holds stakes in various companies. She is also a stakeholder in solar panel provider First Solar.

Alice Walton in the News:

Crystal Bridges, founded by Alice Walton, names new director.