World’s richest woman, brother lose $5.4bn as Walmart shares decline

• Published On: 10 March 2025 at 20:53

Alice Walton, the world's richest woman, and her brother Jim Walton's net worth have decreased by $5.4 billion as a result of a drop in Walmart Inc. stock over the last month.

According to Forbes' real-time billionaire rankings, each sibling's fortune dropped $2.7 billion, bringing Alice Walton's to $101.2 billion and Jim Walton's to $108.9 billion. The decline comes after Walmart's stock price fell 3.09%, closing at $91.72 per share on March 7.

Despite Walmart's strong long-term growth, investor concerns about margin pressures and changing consumer spending patterns have contributed to the recent drop in stock value. Walmart, on the other hand, has outperformed the broader retail supermarket industry over the last year, with its stock rising 59.3% while the industry rose 55.6%. The company's success has been fuelled by its omnichannel strategy, which combines digital sales with physical stores while expanding into advertising and delivery services.

Walmart has also increased its fiscal 2025 guidance, though its projected fourth-quarter revenue and operating income show a potential slowdown from previous quarter growth. Currency fluctuations and changes in product mix have put additional pressure on profit margins.

Alice and Jim Walton are two of the most influential heirs to the Walmart empire, which was founded in 1962 by their father, Sam Walton. The Walton family collectively owns approximately 45% of Walmart stock, giving them significant influence over the company's future.

Alice Walton, 75, has prioritised philanthropy and the arts over direct involvement in Walmart's operations. In 2011, she established the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, which features works by Andy Warhol, Norman Rockwell, and Mark Rothko.

She has also taken on healthcare initiatives, establishing the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine in 2021 to improve access to holistic care. In 2024, she overtook L'Oréal billionaire Françoise Bettencourt Meyers to become the world's richest woman.

Jim Walton, 76, is chairman of Arvest Bank Group, a financial institution with $26 billion in assets. He stepped down from the Walmart board in 2016, handing over his seat to his son, Steuart Walton. His daughter, Annie Proeitti, now chairs the Walton Family Foundation, which has $5.7 billion in assets as of 2022.

Despite the recent drop in Walmart's stock price, the Waltons remain among the world's wealthiest families, with their fortunes inextricably linked to the retail giant's long-term success. Walmart remains the world's largest retailer, having topped the Fortune 500 rankings for the past 12 years.