Early Life and Family

Samuel Robson "Rob" Walton was born on October 27, 1944, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Sam Walton, co-founder of Walmart, and Helen Walton. As the eldest of four children, Rob Walton grew up alongside his siblings Jim Walton, Alice Walton, and John Walton. Tragically, John Walton passed away in 2005.

Rob Walton attended The College of Wooster before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas in 1966. While at university, he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. After completing his undergraduate studies, Walton pursued a Juris Doctor degree at Columbia Law School, graduating in 1969. He later became a trustee at The College of Wooster.

Following his education, Walton joined the law firm Conner & Winters in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he worked as a member of the firm that represented Walmart. In 1978, he joined Walmart as a senior vice president. By 1982, Walton had climbed the ranks, becoming vice chairman of the company. After the death of his father, Sam Walton, in 1992, Rob Walton was appointed chairman of the board of directors of Walmart, a position he held until 2015.

In addition to his role at Walmart, Walton was actively involved in philanthropic efforts through the Walton Family Foundation, where he and his siblings pledged approximately $2 billion between 2008 and 2013.

Ownership of Denver Broncos

In 2022, Walton led an ownership group that successfully purchased the Denver Broncos for a record-breaking $4.65 billion, making it the most expensive sale of a sports franchise in history at the time. The sale was subject to approval from the NFL’s finance committee and the NFL owners. The Walton-led group included notable figures such as Condoleezza Rice and Lewis Hamilton. Walton delegated the daily operations and management of the team to his son-in-law, Greg Penner, who became the CEO and public representative of the ownership group. 

Personal Life

Rob Walton’s personal life has seen several changes. He was first married to his wife, with whom he had three children before their divorce. In 1978, he remarried Carolyn Funk, but their marriage ended in divorce in 2000. Walton’s third marriage was to Melani Lowman-Walton in 2005.

Walton is a prominent philanthropist and has been among the top donors in the United State s. In 2022, he and his siblings experienced a significant drop in their net worth, losing over $27 billion due to the decline in Walmart's share price.

Rob Walton is also known for his extensive collection of automobiles, showcasing his interest in fine cars. As of December 2024, Walton's wealth, primarily from his Walmart inheritance, is estimated at $110.8 billion, making him the 13th richest person globally.

References 

• (No date a) Bloomberg.com. Available at: https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/samuel-r-walton/ (Accessed: 04 January 2025).
• (No date b) Walmart’s longest-serving director Rob Walton to retire from Board | Reuters. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/walmart-ex-chairman-rob-walton-retire-board-2024-04-25/ (Accessed: 04 January 2025).
• Good return (no date) Rob Walton & Family: Rob walton & family net worth, biography, age, spouse, children & more, Good return. Available at: https://www.goodreturns.in/rob-walton-family-net-worth-and-biography-blnr21.html (Accessed: 04 January 2025).
• Souza, K. (2024) Rob Walton to step down from Walmart Board , Talk Business & Politics. Available at: https://talkbusiness.net/2024/04/rob-walton-to-step-down-from-walmart-board/ (Accessed: 04 January 2025).