134 Billion Dollars: What Does the World's Richest Woman Spend Her Money On?

Alice Walton (76) has little interest in the business world. While her father founded the retail giant Walmart, she worked there for only a few months in 1971 as a buyer. Despite holding a massive amount of stock, she never joined the company's management, leaving that to her brothers. This year, Walton was named the world's richest woman for the third time, with a fortune estimated by Forbes at approximately 134 billion dollars (14th globally).

A Passion for Art and Accessibility

Unlike the rest of her family, Walton chose an independent path, focusing on art and horses. Her collection is dedicated exclusively to American art from the colonial era to the present. Notable acquisitions include Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of George Washington and Jasper Johns’ "Flag."

Walton’s philosophy is rooted in the democratization of culture. In 2005, she established the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which opened in 2011. The Walton family created an 800-million-dollar endowment to ensure free admission forever. Designed by architect Moshe Safdie, the museum is integrated into the natural landscape of the Ozarks.

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Philanthropy and Personal Challenges

In 2017, Walton funded the creation of an art school at the University of Arkansas and launched the Art Bridges Foundation to support regional museums. In 2021, she opened the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, which focuses on the prevention of chronic diseases.

Walton’s personal life has been marked by tragedy. She survived several serious car accidents, including a 1983 crash that required 22 surgeries, and a fatal 1989 accident. In 2011, her arrest for drunk driving drew significant public attention.

Walton’s inheritance is expected to go primarily to family philanthropic foundations and the institutions she established. She has already begun transitioning key leadership roles to the third generation of the family, including the chairmanship of the Crystal Bridges Museum.