Jim Walton Net Worth

Jim Walton net worth – What is the net worth of Jim Walton? Jim Walton is an American businessman, heir to the Walmart fortune, and the chairman of Arvest Bank. With a net worth of $135.2 billion, he is frequently ranked among the top 15 richest people in the world. While his siblings Rob and Alice are better known for their roles in Walmart’s chairmanship and art patronage respectively, Jim is known as the “banker” of the family, having built Arvest Bank into one of the largest and most profitable community banks in the United States while managing the family’s massive private holding company, Walton Enterprises.

What is Jim Walton’s Net Worth?

As of 2026, Jim Walton has an estimated net worth of US $135.2 billion. His wealth is primarily derived from his ownership stake in Walmart Inc., the world’s largest retailer. He and his siblings collectively own approximately half of the company’s stock. However, Jim’s fortune is distinct because he also owns roughly 96% of Arvest Bank, a regional bank with assets exceeding $26 billion. This additional asset often makes him the wealthiest or second-wealthiest of the Walton siblings, depending on the fluctuating valuations of the retail and banking sectors.

Net Worth Comparison with Other Waltons & Finance Billionaires

Billionaire	Estimated Net Worth
Jim Walton	$135.2 Billion
Rob Walton	$137.9 Billion
Alice Walton	$126.2 Billion
Warren Buffett	$152 Billion
Michael Bloomberg	$109.4 Billion
Changpeng Zhao	$62.9 Billion

Jim Walton Net Worth Growth Timeline

Year	Net Worth
2018	$46.4 Billion
2020	$54.6 Billion
2022	$66.2 Billion
2024	$96.0 Billion
2026	$135.2 Billion

Who is Jim Walton?

James “Jim” Carr Walton was born on June 7, 1948, in Newport, Arkansas. He is the third child and youngest son of Walmart founder Sam Walton. While he shares the immense inheritance of his siblings, Jim chose a slightly different path by focusing on the financial services industry. He is the current chairman of Arvest Bank, which he grew from a small local operation into a regional powerhouse. Known for his quiet demeanor and aversion to the spotlight, Jim served on the Walmart board for over a decade before passing the baton to the next generation, ensuring the family’s control over the retail empire remains secure.

Jim Walton Biography

Field	Details
Full Name	James Carr Walton
Nickname	The Banker
Date of Birth	June 7, 1948
Age	77 years
Birthplace	Newport, Arkansas, U.S.
Nationality	American
Profession	Banker, Businessman
Years Active	1972–present
Net Worth	$135.2 billion
Source of Wealth	Walmart, Arvest Bank
Education	University of Arkansas (B.A. in Marketing)
Marital Status	Married
Spouse	Lynne McNabb Walton
Children	Alice A. Proietti, Steuart, Thomas, James M.
Parents	Sam Walton, Helen Walton

Early Life and Education

Jim Walton was born in Newport, Arkansas, just a few years before his father opened the first “Walton’s 5&10” in Bentonville. Like his siblings, he was raised with strict values of frugality and hard work. He attended Bentonville High School, where he was president of his junior class and an all-state football player.

He went on to attend the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing. Unlike many billionaire heirs who attend Ivy League schools, the Waltons stayed close to their roots, reinforcing their connection to the local community.

Career

Jim joined Walmart in 1972, initially working in its real estate division. He was responsible for negotiating land deals for new stores, a critical role during the company’s aggressive expansion phase. In 1975, he moved to Walton Enterprises, the family’s private holding company.

His defining career move, however, was in banking. In the early 1960s, his father had purchased a small bank in Bentonville. Jim took an interest in this side asset and began working as a teller. He eventually took control of the family’s banking interests, consolidating them under the brand Arvest Bank. through a series of acquisitions, including the purchase of 29 branches from Bank of America in 2013, he built Arvest into the largest bank in Arkansas and a major player in Oklahoma and Missouri.

Jim served on the Walmart Board of Directors from 2005 (following the death of his brother John) until 2016. He stepped down to make way for his son, Steuart Walton, marking the first transfer of board power to the third generation of Waltons.

Personal Life

Jim Walton resides in Bentonville, Arkansas, the same small town where Walmart is headquartered. He is married to Lynne McNabb Walton, and they have four children: Alice (known as Annie), Steuart, Thomas, and James.

Jim is perhaps the most private of the Walton siblings. He rarely gives interviews and avoids the gala circuit. He is deeply involved in the Walton Family Foundation, specifically focusing on K-12 education reform and the development of charter schools. He was also the chairman of Community Publishers, a newspaper company founded by his father, for many years.

Favorite Things

Category	Favorite
Sport	Football (played in HS)
Hobby	Flying (Pilot)
Residence	Bentonville, Arkansas
Focus	Education Reform
Institution	University of Arkansas
Business Sector	Community Banking

50 Unknown Facts about Jim Walton

He is the youngest son of Sam Walton.
He played all-state football in high school.
He learned to fly a plane while he was still in high school.
He started his banking career as a simple teller.
He owns 96% of Arvest Bank.
He replaced his late brother John on the Walmart board in 2005.
He was the CEO of Arvest Bank before becoming Chairman.
He helped negotiate the purchase of the bank that became Arvest.
He donated $1.2 billion in Walmart stock to charity in 2019.
He is a major supporter of the charter school movement.
He owns a newspaper company called Community Publishers Inc.
He quietly funded political action committees in Louisiana to support education reform.
He has a net worth larger than the GDP of Kenya.
He stepped down from the Walmart board to let his son Steuart take the seat.
He is the quietest of the three living Walton siblings.
He drives modest cars despite his wealth, a trait inherited from his father.
He was president of his junior class in high school.
He joined Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity in college.
He worked in Walmart’s real estate department for four years.
He has lived in Arkansas his entire life.
He oversaw the acquisition of 29 Bank of America branches in 2013.
His bank, Arvest, has assets of over $26 billion.
He believes in “servant leadership.”
He and his family own about 50% of Walmart’s total shares.
He has donated millions to the University of Arkansas.
He is ranked as the richest person in Arkansas.
He has avoided the high-profile art collecting of his sister Alice.
He is a supporter of the Crystal Bridges Museum but leaves the curation to Alice.
He was named to the Forbes 400 list for the first time in 1982 (shared with siblings).
He prefers face-to-face banking over digital, though Arvest has modernized.
He has four children, more than any of his siblings.
His son Tom Walton is known for building mountain bike trails in Bentonville.
His son Steuart is a pilot and founder of an aerobatic airplane company.
He has been criticized for funding conservative political candidates.
He rarely travels with an entourage.
He was 44 years old when his father died.
He personally pledged $2 billion to the Walton Family Foundation between 2008 and 2013.
He believes that family businesses should remain family-controlled.
He has a lower public profile than his niece, heiress Lukas Walton.
He worked for “Walton Enterprises” as President starting in 1975.
He has focused on revitalizing downtown Bentonville alongside his brothers.
He is not a fan of the spotlight or “celebrity” billionaire status.
He supported the “Town Branch Foundation” with his wife.
He believes in competition in the education system.
He was deeply affected by the death of his brother John in a plane crash.
He has helped Arvest Bank win J.D. Power awards for customer satisfaction.
He is known to visit Arvest branches unannounced to check on operations.
He has kept the newspaper company Community Publishers largely independent of Walmart’s influence.
He is currently the 12th richest person in the world (approximate rank).
He plans to keep Arvest Bank private.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Jim Walton?

Jim Walton is 77 years old (as of 2026).

Where does Jim Walton live?

He resides in Bentonville, Arkansas, the headquarters of Walmart.

Is Jim Walton married?

Yes, he is married to Lynne McNabb Walton.

How much is Jim Walton worth?

His estimated net worth is $135.2 billion.

What does Jim Walton do?

He is the Chairman of Arvest Bank and oversees the assets of Walton Enterprises.

Does Jim Walton work at Walmart?

He no longer serves on the board (having stepped down in 2016), but he remains a major shareholder and influences the company through the family voting block.

How many children does Jim Walton have?

He has four children: Alice A. Proietti, Steuart, Thomas, and James M. Walton.

Is Jim Walton richer than Alice Walton?

Yes, typically Jim is slightly richer than Alice due to his additional ownership of Arvest Bank.

What is Arvest Bank?

It is a regional bank owned 96% by the Walton family (specifically Jim), with over 260 branches in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri.

Did Jim Walton play sports?

Yes, he was an all-state football player in high school.