S. Robson Walton

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

S. Robson Walton
S. Robson Walton by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Walton in 2017
Born (1944-10-28) October 28, 1944 (age 77)
Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Arkansas
Columbia Law School
OccupationBusinessman
Known forWalton family fortune
TitleFormer chairman of Walmart(1992–2015)
Board member ofWalmart
Spouse(s)first wife
Carolyn Funk
Melani Lowman
​
(m. 2005)​
Children3, including Carrie Walton Penner[1]
Parent(s)
Relatives

Samuel Robson "Rob" Walton (born October 28, 1944) is an American billionaire heir to the fortune of Walmart, the world's largest retailer. He is the eldest son of Helen Walton and Sam Walton, and was chairman of Walmart from 1992 to 2015. As of January 2022, Walton had an estimated net worth of US$64.2 billion, making him the 18th richest person in the world.[2]

Early life and family[]

Walton in 2011

Rob Walton was born on October 28, 1944, in Tulsa, Oklahoma,[3][4][5] the oldest of four children of Sam Walton (1918–1992), cofounder of Walmart, and Helen Walton (1919–2007). He has a younger brother, Jim Walton, and a younger sister, Alice Walton. Another brother, John Walton, died in 2005.[6][7][8]

Walton attended The College of Wooster and graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1966 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He received his juris doctor degree from Columbia Law School in 1969. Walton is also a trustee at The College of Wooster.[1][8]

After graduation, Walton became a member of the law firm that represented Walmart, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[1] In 1978, he left Tulsa to join Walmart as a senior vice president,[1] and in 1982, he was appointed vice chairman.[9] He was named chairman of the board of directors on April 7, 1992, two days after his father's death.[10]

Along with his siblings, he has pledged about $2 billion to the Walton Family Foundation from 2008 to 2013.[7]

Personal life[]

By the time he left Tulsa in 1978, Walton had three children, was divorced from his first wife, and had remarried to Carolyn Funk. He and Carolyn filed for divorce in 2000. He married his third wife Melani Lowman-Walton in 2005.[9][11][12] His children include Carrie Walton Penner.

Walton is a well-known collector of automobiles.[13]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d Serwer, Andy (November 15, 2004). "The Waltons: Inside America's Richest Family". Fortune. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  2. ^ "Bloomberg Billionaires Index: Rob Walton". Bloomberg. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  3. ^ "S. Robson Walton Profile - Forbes". Forbes. March 9, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  4. ^ Rob Walton was born in 1944; Forbes listed his age as 66 in March 2011 and 67 in September 2011.
  5. ^ Ortega, Bob (1999). In Sam we trust: the untold story of Sam Walton and how Wal-Mart is devouring the world. Kogan Page Publishers. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-7494-3177-8.
  6. ^ "S Robson Walton". Forbes. September 2013. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
  7. ^ a b "2013's Top 20 Billionaires". Forbes. 2013. Archived from the original on March 10, 2013. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
  8. ^ a b "The World's Billionaires #26 S Robson Walton". Forbes. May 3, 2008. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
  9. ^ a b Ortega, Bob (October 20, 1998). In Sam We Trust. Times Business/Random House. pp. 413. ISBN 0-8129-6377-6.
  10. ^ Thomas C. Hayes (April 7, 1992). "Wal-Mart's Leadership Remains in the Family". The New York Times.
  11. ^ DV00-01797 - S. ROBSON WALTON VS. CAROLYN F. WALTON (DIVORCE - NO CHILDREN). SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT STATE OF NEVADA, Washoe County. August 15, 2000.
  12. ^ "Billionaire Divorce. (Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Carolyn Walton, Robson Walton)". Entrepreneur. October 16, 2000.
  13. ^ "Rob Walton: Zero for the Family Foundation but Millions for Vintage Sports Cars". changewalmart.org. June 3, 2014. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2021.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""