C hristy Walton is an American heiress who inherited her vast fortune after the death of her husband, John T. Walton, in a 2005 plane crash. John Walton was one of the sons of Sam Walton, the founder of the global retail giant, Walmart. For many years, she was ranked as the richest woman in the world due to her inherited stake in the family's retail empire.

Her wealth is primarily derived from her share of the Walton family's stake in Walmart. However, a significant portion of her fortune also came from her late husband's successful early investment in the solar panel manufacturer, First Solar. After the company went public, its stock soared, significantly boosting her net worth. She has focused her life on philanthropy, supporting a wide range of causes, including education and environmental conservation, through the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation.