4. Early Life & Family
Christy Ruth Walton was born on February 8, 1949. She
is an American philanthropist. She is the widow of John
T. Walton, one of the sons of Sam Walton, the founder of
Wal-Mart. She is the world's leading female
philanthropist according to the amount she gives as a
percentage of her wealth.
Walton resides in Jackson, Wyoming and has a son,
Lukas Walton, who currently resides in San Diego,
California.
5. • History
In June 2005, Christy inherited her husband's fortune of
US$18.2 billion following his death in a plane crash. Shares in
Wal-Mart, but also from First Solar, in which her husband
invested. she and her family (not including her two brothers-in-
law and a sister-in-law) had an estimated net worth of $36.7
billion, the bulk of which comes from her shares in Wal-Mart,
but also from First Solar, in which her husband invested.
• Current Position
Walton is now the 2nd richest woman in the world. FORBES
pegs her net worth at $41.7 billion, up from $36.7 billion a year
ago.
6. • Education
Christy Walton has no higher education. That has
not stopped her from supporting education
initiatives, though. Walton is now co-chair of the
Children's scholarship fund.
• Awards & Achievement
She was given an award by the Imagen
Foundation for producing the film "Bless Me,
Ultima," based on the book by Rodolfo Anaya,
who is considered the father of Chicano literature.