The Walton family, heirs to the Walmart fortune and some of the wealthiest individuals in the world, have seen a staggering $32 billion wiped from their collective net worth in the first 100 days of 2025. The losses come as Walmart’s stock continues its downward trend, dragged by global trade tensions, rising tariffs, and inflation-driven operating costs.
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Alice Walton, currently the world’s richest woman, has seen her net worth drop by $10.7 billion, bringing her total to $98.4 billion. Her brothers, Jim Walton and Rob Walton, have each lost $11.1 billion and $10.6 billion respectively, reducing their fortunes to $101 billion and $99.1 billion.
The decline is tied closely to Walmart’s (WMT) stock, which has dropped 6.28% year-to-date. Despite reaffirming its full-year forecast for 3% to 4% sales growth and up to 5.5% operating profit growth, the retail giant has revised its Q1 expectations downward. Walmart now projects operating profit growth of just 0.5% to 2%, citing a less favorable product mix, increased casualty claims, and strategic pricing flexibility amid escalating tariffs.
The downturn coincides with a fresh round of trade hostilities. The U.S. has imposed new 104% tariffs on Chinese imports, prompting retaliation from China, which has hiked duties on American goods from 34% to 84%. The European Union and Japan have also raised their own tariffs, further compounding the pressure on U.S.-based multinationals like Walmart.
Initially, Walmart had forecast a full-year EPS of $2.50–$2.60, but analysts now estimate it at $2.63—subject to change if global trade frictions persist. Over the past five trading sessions alone, Walmart shares have dropped nearly 9%, mirroring a wider investor shift toward safer assets amid market volatility.
Despite current challenges, Walmart remains a major player in the retail space. The company is actively engaging with analysts and the media to unveil its long-term strategies, aiming to maintain its global footprint and adapt to the evolving economic landscape.
Still, the financial blow dealt to the Walton family underscores the impact of market forces even on the most fortified fortunes. With over $32 billion in wealth erased in just over three months, 2025 has proven to be a rocky start for the retail dynasty.
