Walton Family Fund May Soon Grow Much Larger
April 23, 2007 | Read Time: 1 minute
Helen Walton, widow of the founder of Wal-Mart, died last week, which may mean that her family’s foundation will soon receive some or all of her $16.4-billion fortune, reports USA Today.
Ms. Walton died on Thursday in Bentonville, Ark., at the age of 87. Her family has said in the past that she planned to leave her Wal-Mart stock to the Walton Family Foundation, which supports efforts to improve the public schools and has made grants to colleges and universities.
A spokesman would not confirm how Ms. Walton’s estate will be used.
If most of Ms. Walton’s fortune goes to the foundation, it would become one of the largest in the United States, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s rankings of the 10 wealthiest grant makers. (A paid subscription or short-term pass is required to view the Chronicle article.)
