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The 400 Richest Americans

#4 Jim Walton

09.17.08, 6:00 PM ET

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©AP Photo/April L. Brown

Net Worth $23.4 billion		Source Wal-Mart Stores (quote: WMT), Retailing, Inherited

Age 60 Marital Status Married, 4 children		Hometown Bentonville, AR, United States Education University of Arkansas, Bachelor of Arts / Science

Son of Wal-Mart pioneer Sam Walton (d. 1992) and siblings, sister-in-law reclaim spot in Forbes 400 Top 10 after falling off last year. Wal-Mart shares up 45% since last September, as cash-strapped consumers head to discount-driven superstores in droves. Also profiting from stake in solar-paneling outfit First Solar; shares up 120% in past 12 months. Sam started as J.C. Penney clerk in 1940; opened Newport, Ark. five-and-dime store Benjamin Franklin 5 years later. Lost lease in 1950. With brother James started general-store chain in Bentonville, Ark., 1962. Today Wal-Mart is world's largest retailer: 7,300 stores, 2 million employees serve 200 million customers. Sales: $378 billion. Jim chairs Arvest Bank Group, Community Publishers.