S. Robson Walton | |
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Walton in 2017
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Born |
Samuel Robson Walton October 28, 1944 Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. |
Residence | Bentonville, Arkansas |
Education |
University of Arkansas Columbia Law School |
Occupation |
Chairman of Walmart (1992–2015) |
Known for | Walton family fortune |
Net worth | US$33.8 billion (June 2016) |
Board member of | Walmart |
Spouse(s) | Carolyn Funk (divorced) |
Children | 3 |
Parent(s) |
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Relatives |
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Samuel Robson "Rob" Walton (born October 28, 1944) is an American businessman and is the eldest son of Helen Walton and Sam Walton, founder of Walmart, the world's largest retailer. He served as Chairman of Walmart from 1992 to 2015. In October 2012, Walton was listed as the 11th richest person in the world.
Rob Walton was born on October 28, 1944 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the oldest of four children of Sam Walton (1918–1992), cofounder of Wal-Mart, and Helen Walton (1919–2007). He has a younger brother, Jim Walton and a younger sister, Alice Walton. Another brother, John Walton, died in 2005.
Walton attended The College of Wooster and graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1966 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration, where he was also a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Columbia Law School in 1969. Walton is also a trustee at The College of Wooster.
After graduation Walton became a member of the law firm that represented Wal-Mart, Conner & Winters in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1978 he left Tulsa to join Wal-Mart as a senior vice president, and in 1982 he was appointed vice chairman. He was named chairman of the board of directors on April 7, 1992, two days after his father's death.
Along with his siblings, he has pledged about $2 billion to the Walton Family Foundation from 2008 to 2013.
By the time he left Tulsa in 1978, Walton had three children, was divorced from his first wife, and was remarried to Carolyn Funk. He and Carolyn filed for divorce in 2000. He married his third wife Melani Lowman-Walton in 2005.