World's Wealthiest of all time

[KC]

It looks like Sam Walton did some pretty intelligent Estate Planning.

http://financialcounsel.com/Articles/Estat...chillesHeel.asp

"Although the family business was worth approximately $25 billion at Sam Walton's death in 1992, much of the business had either been placed in the hands of heirs to begin with, or transferred there by gift or sale over time. As a result, Walton was left with a 10% share of the business at his death and this was transferred to his wife free of tax, thanks to the unlimited marital deduction.

At his wife's death, Walton's assets will pass to family-run charities, once again avoiding estate taxation. As for the remaining 90% of the business assets that had been transferred out of Sam Walton's estate prior to his death, there were no transfer taxes that applied as a result of Sam Walton's death."