Waltons remain world’s wealthiest family

by The City Wire staff ([email protected]) 201 views 

Wielding a combined net worth of nearly $140 billion, the Walton family heirs were again dubbed the world’s wealthiest family, according to Forbes Annual Billionaire List.

Christy Walton, the 59-year-old widow of John Walton, is the world’s wealthiest woman with a $36.7 billion net worth, according to Forbes. At No. 9 she edged out Lillian Bettencourt of L’Oreal and her sister-in-law Alice Walton, who are the only three women in the Forbes’ top 20 list. Bettencourt’s net worth is a reported $34.5 billion ranking her No. 11. Alice Walton at age 64 has a reported net worth of $34.3 billion, ranking No. 13 in the world.

Jim Walton, the 66-year-old chairman of Arvest Bank, ranks No. 10 on the list with a net worth of $34.7 billion.

Rob Walton, the 70-year-old chairman of Wal-Mart Stores Inc, has a net worth of $34.2 billion, ranking No. 14 in world.

The Walton family fortune increased 20.9% during 2013, spurred by record stock prices. The bull market last year helped produce 1,645 billionaires in 2014, up from 1,426 in 2013. Forbes reports the average net worth of this year’s class at $4.7 billion, up from $4.2 billion 2013.

Johnelle Hunt, co-founder of J.B.Hunt Transports, also made the Forbes list with a net worth of $2.1 billion.