Alice Walton has once again claimed the crown as the world’s richest woman, according to Forbes’ 2025 World's Billionaires List. With an estimated fortune of $101 billion, the Walmart heiress has overtaken L'Oréal’s Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, who held the spot since 2021. This shift—the first in five years—marks Walton’s entry into the exclusive "$100 Billion Club,” highlighting not only her financial ascent, but her dual legacy as a philanthropist and cultural leader.

A Retail Empire Fuels a Historic Rise
As the only daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, Alice has inherited her share of the retail giant that reshaped shoppindeg habits worldwide. Her wealth soared by $28.7 billion in the past year, driven by a 40% surge in Walmart’s stock due to its affordability amid inflationary pressures. Her estimated 11% stake now places her among just 15 centibillionaires worldwide, a milestone reached by Bettencourt Meyers in 2024. At 75, Walton trails her brothers Rob ($110 billion) and Jim ($109 billion) on the global list but stands apart by leveraging her wealth into art, education, and healthcare.

From Finance to a Cultural Legacy
Unlike her siblings, who maintain close ties to Walmart’s corporate operations, Alice forged her own path early in life. After graduating with an economics degree from Trinity University, she briefly worked at Walmart before pursuing a career as a stockbroker in New Orleans. In the 1980s, she returned to Bentonville, Arkansas, where she managed investments at the family’s Arvest Bank and later founding Llama, a $19.5 million lending and brokerage firm. When Llama closed in 1998, Walton pivoted to her true passion: art.

Her most enduring legacy is the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Founded in 2011, the museum sits on 120 acres donated by the Walton family. Featuring works by masters like Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keeffe, the $1.6 billion museum—funded largely through trusts honoring her late brother John and mother Helen—offers free admission to all. Under Walton’s leadership, the museum expanded its reach with The Momentary in 2020, a contemporary arts venue, and plans a major addition for 2026, cementing Alice’s vision of creating a hub for creativity and learning.

Philanthropy with Purpose
Alice’s impact extends far beyond galleries. Over the past decade, she has donated over $5.8 billion in the last decade to various charitable foundations, including the Walton Family Foundation and her own Art Bridges Foundation. These organizations support initiatives ranging from education reform and environmental conservation to expanding access to American art across rural and underserved communities.

Her boldest move yet is the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, slated to open in July 2025 in Bentonville. Backed by a $249 million gift, it aims to blend arts, humanities, and whole-health principles, training doctors to treat patients holistically—a concept born from her own artistic journey.

Her commitment to wellness extends further through the Heartland Whole Health Institute, which advocates for innovative healthcare solutions rooted in patient-centered care. Both institutions will soon occupy state-of-the-art facilities connected via trails to Crystal Bridges in a tangible connection of art, nature, and well-being.

A Lasting Mark
Alice’s visionary efforts have earned her numerous accolades, including the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art Medal and a spot on TIME’s 2012 most influential list. But her real legacy lies in her unwavering dedication to improving lives: fostering education, boosting Northwest Arkansas’ economy, and championing diversity in the arts. As the world celebrates her return to the top, Alice Walton proves wealth is just a tool—what matters is how it’s wielded.