The Richest Business Woman in America

Christy Ruth Walton is worth a cool $16.3 billion. At 52, she is the widow of the late John T. Walton and daugher-in-law of the late Sam Walton, founder of the Walmart empire. Walmart is the world's largest retailer, with more than 7,000 stores in 14 countries; 1.9 million employees serve 176 million customers a week. Sales are $345 billion.

Mrs. Walton lives in Jackson, WY.  She has one son, Luke. Walton and her late husband, who died in a plane crash 2005 were quiet philanthropists, giving millions to various causes. She continues to support school choice programs for underprivileged kids, museums, cancer research and medical institutions. She is #12 on Forbes' 400 Richest Americans list.

It goes to show how one person's entrepreneurial ideas and motivation to succeed can grow into something that helps a lot of people for a very long time.