Walmart is one of the biggest and most successful retail companies in the world. It has thousands of stores and a huge online presence. Many people love shopping at Walmart because it offers a wide variety of products, from groceries to electronics, all at affordable prices. But have you ever wondered who owns Walmart?
In this article, we’ll take you through the history of Walmart, who owns it, and how it became one of the biggest companies in the world. Let’s dive into the story behind Walmart and its ownership!
The History of Walmart
Walmart was founded by Sam Walton in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas. The company was born from Walton’s idea to offer customers everyday low prices, which is the foundation of the Walmart business model. Walton believed that by keeping prices low, he could make products accessible to more people. This idea worked and Walmart grew rapidly, becoming one of the most successful retail chains in the world.
Initially, the company was called Wal-Mart Discount City and it quickly became known for its friendly customer service and affordable products. Over the years, Walmart expanded not only in the U.S. but also into other countries, becoming an international brand.
Walmart’s Ownership Structure
The ownership of Walmart is a bit different from other companies. Walmart is a publicly traded company, which means its ownership is split between many shareholders. However, a significant portion of Walmart’s ownership is still controlled by the Walton family, the family of the company’s founder, Sam Walton.
Who is the Owner of Walmart?
The main owners of Walmart are Sam Walton’s family members. As of today, the Walton family holds around 50% of the company’s total shares, giving them a large amount of control over Walmart’s decisions. Even though Walmart is a public company, the Walton family still maintains a huge influence on the company.
The Walton family includes several individuals, but the most notable members are:
- Rob Walton (Son of Sam Walton)
- Alice Walton (Daughter of Sam Walton)
- Jim Walton (Son of Sam Walton)
These family members, along with some other Walton relatives, hold large portions of Walmart’s shares. They are also involved in decision-making processes within the company.
Who is the CEO of Walmart?
While the Walton family owns a large part of Walmart, the CEO of the company is not a Walton family member. As of 2025, the CEO of Walmart is Doug McMillon. McMillon has been with Walmart for many years and became CEO in 2014. His role as CEO is to oversee Walmart’s daily operations and guide the company into the future.
Doug McMillon’s leadership has helped Walmart continue to grow and adapt to changes in the retail industry. Under his leadership, Walmart has increased its focus on e-commerce and expanded its online sales, competing with companies like Amazon.
Walmart’s Shareholders: Who Owns the Rest of Walmart?
Since Walmart is a publicly traded company, it means that the rest of the shares of Walmart are owned by institutional investors and individual shareholders. Some of the largest shareholders of Walmart, other than the Walton family, include big investment firms such as:
- Vanguard Group
- BlackRock
- State Street Global Advisors
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
These institutional investors own a large percentage of Walmart’s shares. While they don’t control the company like the Walton family, they have a significant influence on Walmart’s decisions because they own so many shares.
A Table of Walmart’s Ownership Breakdown
| Owner | Percentage of Ownership | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Walton Family | ~50% | Includes Sam Walton’s children: Rob, Alice, and Jim Walton. |
| Vanguard Group | ~5% | A big investment firm that owns a large percentage of Walmart shares. |
| BlackRock | ~5% | Another major investment firm that owns a significant portion of Walmart. |
| State Street Global Advisors | ~4% | One of the world’s largest asset managers, holding a stake in Walmart. |
| Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation | ~2% | The foundation has an investment in Walmart through its endowment fund. |
| Other Shareholders | ~34% | Includes individual investors and smaller institutional investors. |
How Rich is the Walton Family?
The Walton family is one of the richest families in the world because of their Walmart ownership. Their wealth is mostly tied to Walmart stock, which has grown significantly over the years. As of 2025, the Walton family’s combined net worth is over $250 billion. Here’s a quick look at how much some of the key Walton family members are worth:
- Rob Walton: Over $70 billion
- Alice Walton: Over $60 billion
- Jim Walton: Over $50 billion
These numbers can change because they depend on the value of Walmart’s stock. However, the Walton family remains extremely wealthy and influential due to their ownership of Walmart.
The Influence of the Walton Family on Walmart
Although Walmart is a publicly traded company, the Walton family continues to have a huge impact on its business decisions. The Walton family members sit on the company’s board of directors and help guide the overall strategy. In fact, many of the family members have been involved with the company since its early days.
- Rob Walton served as the chairman of Walmart’s board for many years.
- Alice Walton is involved in various charitable activities and has also been active in promoting Walmart’s image.
- Jim Walton is involved with Walmart’s operations and has helped lead the company’s efforts to stay competitive in the retail industry.
Walmart’s Impact on the World
Walmart is not just a massive retailer in the U.S. — it has a major presence in other countries as well. It has more than 10,000 stores in around 19 countries, making it one of the largest employers in the world. Walmart is known for affordable prices, and it continues to offer low-cost options to millions of people.
Walmart also has a huge supply chain that reaches all around the world. This helps the company provide a wide variety of products to its customers. Walmart is always changing with the times, and it’s constantly adapting to new trends in shopping, like online shopping and delivery services.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Walton family remains the primary owner of Walmart. Even though it’s a publicly traded company, the Walton family holds around 50% of the company’s shares, which gives them significant control over its decisions. The family’s wealth and influence make them one of the richest families in the world.
Doug McMillon, the current CEO, plays a key role in Walmart’s day-to-day operations, while the Walton family members help guide the company’s overall direction. Walmart’s global success is largely due to the vision of Sam Walton, who started the company with the idea of offering low prices to customers everywhere.
FAQs
Q: Who is the CEO of Walmart?
A: The CEO of Walmart is Doug McMillon. He has been leading the company since 2014.
Q: How did Walmart start?
A: Walmart was founded by Sam Walton in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas.
Q: Does the Walton family still own Walmart?
A: Yes, the Walton family owns around 50% of Walmart.
Q: Is Walmart a publicly traded company?
A: Yes, Walmart is a publicly traded company, which means that people can buy and sell Walmart stock on the stock market.
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