The wealthiest family in the world boasts a staggering combined fortune of $470 billion and controls some of the most prominent sports franchises globally.
Elon Musk might hold the title of the richest individual on the planet, but his children aren’t in charge of running football clubs.
In terms of sheer, inherited wealth, the Walton family, heirs to the Walmart fortune, have no rivals, especially when considering their alliance with the Kroenke sports empire through marriage.
When the Walton family’s enormous wealth of $449.8 billion is combined with sports magnate Stan Kroenke’s $21.3 billion, who married into the family, it results in a formidable $470.1 billion financial powerhouse.
This sum surpasses the GDP of many countries.
The origins of the Waltons’ wealth are well-known to most Americans.
In 1962, Sam and Bud Walton launched the first Walmart store in Arkansas with a mission to provide unbeatable prices at their discount outlet.
Today, Walmart has evolved into a retail giant with over 10,000 locations and an almost unrivaled market presence.
Despite their immense wealth, the Waltons are known for their discreet lifestyle. They don’t showcase their riches like some billionaires, yet their strategic investments, particularly in sports, speak volumes.
In 2022, the family acquired the NFL’s Denver Broncos for an unprecedented $4.7 billion, with Greg Penner, Sam Walton’s grandson-in-law, taking the helm as the team’s CEO.
This acquisition is merely part of their extensive involvement in sports, as Kroenke joined the family through his marriage to Ann Walton. Kroenke has a vast sports portfolio, including the Premier League’s Arsenal, the NFL’s LA Rams, the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, and the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, with the latter listed under Ann’s ownership.
Kroenke is also the owner of the NLL’s (National Lacrosse League) Colorado Mammoth.
Forbes lists the Waltons’ net worth as follows: Rob Walton & Family at $123.8 billion; Jim Walton & Family at $121.2 billion; Alice Walton at $112.5 billion; Lukas Walton at $41.8 billion; Christy Walton at $20.7 billion; Nancy Walton Laurie at $16.6 billion; Ann Walton Kroenke at $13.2 billion; and Stanley Kroenke at $21.3 billion.
Remarkably, this family includes eight members on Forbes’ real-time billionaire list, with their descendants also having significant wealth.
While the Waltons initially built their fortune through Walmart, they are clearly expanding their wealth into other arenas today.