Walton vs Buffett

Walmart and Berkshire Hathaway.

The differences

Forbes puts Warren Buffett about $14.6B ahead of Jim Walton.Forbes figures from 17 Oct 2026 and 15 Oct 2026.
Jim Walton: inherited it. Warren Buffett: built it up.
Warren Buffett is about 18 years older than Jim Walton.
Warren Buffett has signed the Giving Pledge; Jim Walton has not.

Put someone else on either side

Walton

Buffett

Net worth, Forbes: $137BForbes, 15 Oct 2026; $151BForbes, 17 Oct 2026
Net worth, Bloomberg: $140BBloomberg, 11 Oct 2026; $147BBloomberg, 9 Oct 2026
Forbes rank: No. 13Real-Time list, 15 Oct 2026; No. 9Annual list, 1 Mar 2026
Billionaire since: Not stated; Not stated

How it started: Inherited itYoungest son of Walmart founder Sam Walton; Forbes' 2006 list described his fortune as inherited; Built it upDid not found Berkshire Hathaway: his investment partnership (BPL) began buying its shares in 1962 and took control in May 1965; Forbes lists him as self-made
Main source: Walmart stock held through Walton Enterprises and the Walton Family Holdings Trust; Arvest Bank GroupForbes lists Walmart as his source of wealth; Berkshire Hathaway stockBloomberg: 'The majority of Warren Buffett's fortune is derived from his interest in Berkshire Hathaway'; the 10-K describes Berkshire as a holding company in insurance, freight rail, utilities and energy, manufacturing, services and retailing
Companies: Walmart, Arvest Bank GroupWalmart: None; director from 2005 to 2016; Arvest Bank Group: Chairman; Berkshire HathawayBerkshire Hathaway: Chairman Emeritus and director (since September 18, 2026)
Biggest stake: Arvest Bank Group44% owned; Berkshire Hathaway13.2% owned

Born: 1948Newport, Arkansas, United States; 30 Aug 1930Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Country: United StatesLives in Bentonville, Arkansas, United States; United StatesLives in Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Education: Bachelor's degreeMarketing degree, University of Arkansas (1971); Graduate degreeBachelor's degree, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Master of Science, Columbia University
Parents: Son of Sam and Helen Walton, who ran a five-and-dime store in Bentonville before Sam founded Walmart; His father, Howard, worked in the investment business and was elected to Congress in 1942; his paternal grandparents had a grocery business

Giving Pledge: Not a signer; Signed in 2010Co-founded the Giving Pledge with Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation: Walton Family FoundationFamily foundation set up by Sam and Helen Walton in 1987; Walmart's 2005 release named him a trustee; Berkshire stock gifts to the Gates Foundation and four family foundationsSince 2006 he has given Berkshire stock to the Gates Foundation and to the Susan Thompson Buffett, Sherwood, Howard G. Buffett and NoVo foundations
Lifetime giving: Not stated; $72BForbes, 15 Sep 2026. Forbes: 'So far he has given away more than $72 billion, mostly through the Gates Foundation and his kids' foundations'. The Gates Foundation reports $47.9 billion from him through 2025

Role now: Chair of the boardChairman of Arvest Bank Group; On the boardChairman Emeritus and director of Berkshire Hathaway
Successor: His son Steuart Walton sits on Walmart's board; John Furner became Walmart CEO on February 1, 2026Steuart Walton is a director, not an executive; Greg Abel (CEO since January 1, 2026); Howard G. Buffett (chairman since September 18, 2026)The company notices give the roles but don't state Howard Buffett's relationship to him
Public office: None found; None found
Legal record: None found; None found