Childhood and Education Journey of Alice Walton in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Alice Walton, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Alice Walton is an American billionaire and heiress to the Walmart fortune, as the daughter of Sam Walton. As of July 2025, with an estimated net worth of $116 billion, she is the richest woman globally and ranks among the wealthiest individuals worldwide, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

October 7, 1949: Alice Walton's Birth

On October 7, 1949, Alice Louise Walton was born. She is the daughter of Sam Walton and heiress to the Walmart fortune.

Others born on this day/year

1966: Graduation from High School

In 1966, Alice Walton graduated from Bentonville High School.

1974: First Marriage

In 1974, at age 24, Alice Walton married a prominent Louisiana investment banker.

1983: Automobile Accident near Acapulco

During a 1983 Thanksgiving family reunion near Acapulco, Alice Walton lost control of a rented Jeep and plunged into a ravine, shattering her leg and requiring more than two dozen surgeries.

1988: Founded Llama Company

In 1988, Alice Walton founded Llama Company, an investment bank, where she served as president, chairwoman, and CEO.

April 1989: Automobile Accident and Fatality

In April 1989, Alice Walton struck and killed 50-year-old Oleta Hardin, who had stepped onto a road in Fayetteville, Arkansas. No charges were filed.

1998: Driving Under the Influence

In 1998, Alice Walton hit a gas meter while driving under the influence of alcohol and paid a $925 fine.

1998: Move to Rocking W Ranch

In 1998, Alice Walton moved to a ranch in Millsap, Texas, named Walton's Rocking W Ranch.

1998: Development of Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport and Closure of Llama Company

In 1998, Alice Walton played a major role in the development of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, providing $15 million in initial funding, while her company, Llama Company, underwrote a $79.5 million bond. The airport later named the terminal the Alice L. Walton Terminal Building. Llama Company also closed in 1998.

2001: Inducted into Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame

In 2001, Alice Walton was inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame.

December 2004: Art Purchase at Sotheby's

In December 2004, Alice Walton purchased art from the collection of Daniel and Rita Fraad at Sotheby's in New York.

2004: Political Contributions in 2004

In 2004, Alice Walton contributed US$2.6 million to the conservative Progress for America group, becoming the 20th-largest individual contributor to 527 committees in the U.S. presidential election.

2005: Purchase of "Kindred Spirits"

In 2005, Alice Walton purchased Asher Brown Durand's painting "Kindred Spirits" for US$35 million at a sealed-bid auction. The painting was originally given to the New York Public Library in 1904.

2009: Acquisition of Rosie the Riveter

In 2009, Alice Walton acquired Norman Rockwell's "Rosie the Riveter" for $4.9 million.

2011: Crystal Bridges Museum Opening

In 2011, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, developed by the Walton Family Foundation, opened in Bentonville, Arkansas. It was designed by architect Moshe Safdie.

2011: Interview on Art Acquisition

In a 2011 interview, Alice Walton spoke about acquiring great works by artists, including Marsden Hartley and Andrew Wyeth.

January 2012: Contribution to Restore Our Future

As of January 2012, Alice Walton had contributed $200,000 to Restore Our Future, the super PAC associated with Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.

2015: Listing Rocking W Ranch for Sale

In 2015, Alice Walton listed her Rocking W Ranch for sale and moved to Fort Worth, Texas, to focus on the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

2016: Donation to Walton Family Holdings Trust

In 2016, Alice Walton donated $225 million as part of a total of $407 million from Walmart heirs to the Walton Family Holdings Trust, which finances the family's philanthropy.

2016: Donation to Hillary Victory Fund

In 2016, Alice Walton donated $353,400 to the Hillary Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee supporting Hillary Clinton and other Democrats.

2017: Formation of the Alice L. Walton Foundation

In 2017, Alice Walton formed the Alice L. Walton Foundation, which promotes arts, education, health, and improving economic opportunity.

2017: Formation of Art Bridges Foundation

In 2017, Alice Walton formed the Art Bridges Foundation, which partners with small and regional museums to provide funding, collection loans, traveling exhibits, and art programs.

2019: Establishment of Whole Health Institute

In 2019, Alice Walton established the Whole Health Institute, which works to build and expand access to holistic healthcare.

2020: Move Back to Bentonville

In 2020, Alice Walton moved back to Bentonville.

2020: Foundation Grants in 2020

In 2020, the Alice L. Walton Foundation gave the University of Central Arkansas $3 million for its fine arts program and a $1.28 million grant to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to expand its program to provide healthy food in schools.

March 2021: Announcement of Alice L. Walton School of Medicine

In March 2021, Alice Walton announced that the Whole Health Institute would build a non-profit medical school in Bentonville called the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, focusing on allopathic medicine.

September 2021: Art Bridges Foundation Exhibits

As of September 2021, the Art Bridges Foundation had approximately 30 exhibits traveling throughout the United States.

2021: Crystal Bridges Museum Visitors

As of 2021, Crystal Bridges Museum had been visited more than 5 million times.

2021: Partnership with Cleveland Clinic

In 2021, the Alice L. Walton Foundation partnered with the Cleveland Clinic to evaluate health care in Northwest Arkansas.

2022: Creation of Non-Profit Medical System

In 2022, the Alice L. Walton Foundation and Washington Regional Medical System announced plans to create a non-profit medical system aimed at training doctors in specialty care fields.

2022: Grant to Northwest Arkansas Food Bank

In 2022, the Alice L. Walton Foundation gave a $3.5 million grant to the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank: $3 million to support construction of a food distribution center, and $500,000 to buy and distribute food.