1. Alice Walton Claims the Crown with $106+ Billion Net Worth
Alice Walton remains the wealthiest woman in the United States and globally, with a net worth exceeding $106 billion. The 75-year-old daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton has experienced unprecedented wealth growth, seeing her fortune increase by approximately $28.7 billion from 2024 to 2025.
This remarkable surge has propelled her into the exclusive “centibillionaire” club, making her one of fewer than 20 individuals worldwide to achieve 12-figure wealth. Her current position places her among the top 15 wealthiest people globally, a testament to her inherited stake in the retail giant Walmart and the exceptional performance of Walmart’s stock throughout 2025.
2. From Walmart Heiress to Global Wealth Leader
Born on October 7, 1949, in Newport, Arkansas, Alice Louise Walton inherited her fortune as the only daughter among Sam Walton’s four children. Unlike her brothers, who maintain active roles in Walmart’s operations and serve on the company’s board of directors, Alice has chosen a different path.
She holds an 11% stake in Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, but has largely distanced herself from day-to-day business operations. After graduating from Trinity University in San Antonio with a degree in economics, she briefly worked as a buyer for children’s clothing at Walmart before pursuing careers in finance and investment banking.
Her decision to focus on philanthropy rather than corporate leadership has distinguished her from other members of the Walton family while still benefiting from the company’s continued success.
3. The Walton Family Dynasty: America’s Richest Family
The Walton family collectively represents the wealthiest family in America, with the three surviving siblings holding extraordinary individual wealth. Alice’s brothers, Jim and Rob Walton, also rank among the world’s wealthiest individuals, creating an unprecedented concentration of family wealth.
The family’s fortune stems from their collective ownership of Walmart through the investment holding company Walton Enterprises, which manages their various business interests and assets.
This family dynasty has maintained its position as America’s wealthiest family since the 1990s, with its combined wealth representing a significant portion of total billionaire wealth in the United States. The siblings have each benefited from decades of Walmart’s growth and expansion, transforming their father’s regional discount store concept into a global retail empire.
4. How Alice Walton Surpassed French L’Oréal Heiress Françoise Bettencourt Meyers
Alice Walton’s ascension to the top of global women’s wealth rankings came at the expense of Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the French L’Oréal heiress who had held the title since 2021. The wealth transfer between these two women illustrates the dynamic nature of global markets and how stock performance directly impacts billionaire rankings.
While Walmart’s stock experienced significant growth throughout 2025, L’Oréal faced challenges in specific markets, particularly in mainland China, which affected its overall performance.
Bettencourt Meyers, who inherited her stake in the cosmetics giant from her mother Liliane Bettencourt, had previously reached the $100 billion threshold but saw her wealth decline as L’Oréal’s stock price fell. This changing of the guard highlights how market conditions can rapidly reshape the landscape of global wealth.
5. The $100 Billion Club: Joining an Elite Group of Centibillionaires
Crossing the $100 billion threshold places Alice Walton in one of the most exclusive groups in global finance. The centibillionaire club includes fewer than 20 individuals worldwide, featuring prominent names like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffett.
This achievement is particularly significant for women, as historically very few have reached this level of wealth. The milestone represents not just numerical significance but also the concentration of global wealth among a small number of individuals.
Alice’s membership in this elite group underscores the massive scale of Walmart’s success and the enduring value of her family’s retail empire. The achievement also highlights the growing influence of inherited wealth in shaping global economic power structures.
6. Walmart’s Stock Surge Drives Historic Wealth Growth
The dramatic increase in Alice Walton’s wealth directly correlates with Walmart’s exceptional stock performance in 2025. The retail giant has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth, with its stock price reaching record levels above $105 per share in February and currently at $98.
Walmart’s success stems from gaining market share across various segments, including general merchandise, while maintaining strong consumer appeal during periods of economic uncertainty.
The company’s strategic positioning as a value retailer has resonated with consumers facing inflationary pressures, leading to increased transaction counts and unit volume across markets. This performance has validated investor confidence in Walmart’s business model and long-term prospects, benefiting the Walton family’s substantial shareholdings.
7. Beyond Retail: Alice Walton’s Art and Philanthropy Empire
While her wealth originates from retail, Alice Walton has dedicated her resources and energy to philanthropy, particularly in the arts, healthcare, and education sectors. Over the past decade, she has donated billions to various family charitable foundations, establishing herself as one of America’s most significant philanthropists.
Her approach to giving differs markedly from traditional billionaire philanthropy, focusing on long-term institution building rather than short-term charitable donations. This strategic philanthropy has created lasting institutions that will continue to benefit communities for generations.
Her commitment to giving has also influenced how other wealthy individuals approach their philanthropic responsibilities, demonstrating alternative models for using vast wealth to create social impact.
8. Crystal Bridges Museum and the Alice L. Walton Foundation Legacy
Alice Walton’s most visible philanthropic achievement is the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. Opened in 2011, this 200,000-square-foot museum sits on 134 acres of Ozark forest and houses her art collection, which is worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
The museum offers free admission to all visitors and has welcomed millions of guests since opening. Designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie, Crystal Bridges features works by prominent American artists and has become a cultural destination, transforming the Northwest Arkansas region.
The museum exemplifies Alice’s vision of making high-quality art accessible to communities that might not otherwise have such opportunities, fulfilling her goal of democratizing access to fine art.
9. Healthcare Innovation: The Alice L. Walton School of Medicine
Alice Walton’s philanthropic focus has expanded into healthcare by establishing the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine in Bentonville. This medical school represents an innovative approach to medical education, integrating traditional medical training with arts, humanities, and whole health principles.
The institution opened its doors to its first class of students in 2025, offering free tuition to its initial cohorts. This educational model aims to train physicians who understand the connections between art, nature, and wellness.
The medical school operates alongside the Heartland Whole Health Institute, creating a comprehensive approach to healthcare that reflects Alice’s belief in holistic wellness and community health improvement.
10. Comparing America’s Wealthiest Women in 2025
Alice Walton’s wealth significantly exceeds that of other wealthy American women, creating a substantial gap at the top of women’s wealth rankings. The next wealthiest American women include heiresses and entrepreneurs from various industries, but none approach Alice’s $100+ billion fortune.
Based on the current Forbes 2025 data, here are the 2nd through 5th richest women in the United States:
2. Julia Koch & family – $74.2 billion The widow of David Koch inherited a 42% stake in Koch Industries with her three children after he died in 2019. She added nearly $10 billion to her fortune this year. Koch Industries is the second-largest private company in the U.S.
3. Jacqueline Mars – $42.6 billion The 85-year-old American has her wealth from candy and pet food, as Mars’ grandfather started selling butter cream candy from his kitchen in 1911. Now Mars Incorporated owns brands including M&Ms, Snickers, Wrigley’s, and Pedigree dog food.
4. Abigail Johnson – $36.8 billion American billionaire and CEO of Fidelity Investments, one of the world’s largest asset managers. She became CEO in 2014 and chair in 2016, succeeding her father. Under her leadership, Fidelity manages over $5.9 trillion in assets.
5. Melinda French Gates—$30.4 billion The 60-year-old American is $19.3 billion richer this year after Forbes increased its estimate of her 2021 divorce settlement with Bill Gates. In June 2024, she resigned from the Gates Foundation to focus on Pivotal Ventures, her firm that invests in women-led funds and startups.
These four women represent a mix of inherited wealth (Koch, Mars) and those who built or significantly grew their fortunes through business leadership (Johnson, French Gates).
This wealth disparity illustrates Walmart’s exceptional success and the concentrated nature of extreme wealth in America. The landscape of wealthy American women includes inherited wealth and self-made fortunes, representing diverse paths to financial success.
These women collectively wield significant economic influence and have become increasingly essential figures in American philanthropy and social causes.
11. The Future of Female Billionaires in the United States
The rise of Alice Walton to unprecedented wealth levels reflects broader trends in women’s participation in global wealth creation and accumulation. Women now represent a growing percentage of global billionaires, though they still constitute a minority of the ultra-wealthy population.
Many wealthy women have inherited their fortunes, but an increasing number have built their wealth through entrepreneurship and business leadership. Their influence extends beyond their financial resources, as many have become leaders in philanthropic innovation and social change initiatives.
Alice Walton’s success and philanthropic approach serve as a model for how extreme wealth can be used to create a lasting positive impact on society.
Conclusion
Alice Walton’s achievement as America’s wealthiest woman represents more than just personal financial success; it embodies the evolution of how inherited wealth can be transformed into philanthropic leadership.
Her journey from Walmart heiress to global philanthropist demonstrates the potential for using vast resources to create lasting institutional change. While her wealth stems from one of America’s most successful retail enterprises, her legacy increasingly centers on her contributions to the arts, healthcare, and education.
As wealth concentration continues to grow among a small number of individuals, Alice Walton’s approach to philanthropy offers insights into responsible wealth stewardship. Her story illustrates the opportunities and responsibilities that come with extraordinary wealth in contemporary America, setting a precedent for how billionaires might balance personal fortune with public service.