Christy Ruth Tallant was born on 8 February 1949, in Jackson, Wyoming USA, and as Christy Walton is known primarily because she is listed by Forbes magazine as the richest woman and eighth richest person in the world in 2015, as a result of inheriting a sizeable part of the Wal-Mart empire when her husband, John T. Walton – son of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton – was killed in an aircrash in 2005.
Christy Walton Net Worth $42 Billion
So just how rich is Christy Walton? Forbes estimates that Christy’s net worth is around $42 billion, virtually all inherited and continuing to grow, for example through $470 million in Wal-Mart dividends after taxes in 2014.
Christy Walton has become a very private person, spending much of her time on her ranch in western Wyoming since her husband’s demise, although this property is now reportedly up for sale. Little is known of her early life or family, and these days she is known only as a homemaker and philanthropist. Apparently Christy takes only minimal interest in the actual running of Wal-Mart, even though she is part-controller of over 50% of shares in the company.
Christy Walton’s other financial interests are also considerable: she shares 96% ownership of the Walton family’s Arvest Bank – with assets of almost $20 billion – with brothers-in-law Rob and Jim Walton, the latter being the CEO. Additionally, Christy holds 30% solar energy company First Solar, originally an investment of husband John and now worth over $1 billion.
Christy Walton devotes much of her time to philanthropic activities, including in particular the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation, which prioritizes education and benefits colleges such as the University of Arkansas, the College of Business Administration of the University of Arkansas, and several other colleges, community trusts, universities and foundations.
Further, Christy Walton is a board member of the San Diego Zoological Society and the Mingei International Museum, and also contributes to The San Diego Natural History Museum.
As with most major business people, Christy Walton has an interest in politics, and since 2000 has contributed considerable amounts in donations to candidates for federal office, of which more than 85 percent has gone to Republicans or Republican political action committees (PACs). She has also supported the Walmart PAC.
Christy has one son from her marriage to John Walton, Lukas, who survived a protracted battle with cancer when just three years old. He subsequently graduated from Colorado College in 2010 with a BA in environmentally sustainable business, and now works in venture capital and private equity.
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