Forrest Edward Mars, Sr.

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Forrest Edward Mars, Sr.
Born	March 21, 1904 Tacoma, Washington, USA
Died	July 1, 1999 (aged 95) Miami, Florida, USA
Occupation	Director of Mars, Inc.
Spouse	Audrey Mars
Children	Forrest Edward Mars, Jr. John F. Mars Jacqueline Mars

Forrest Edward Mars, Sr. (March 21, 1904 – July 1, 1999) was the driving force of the Mars multi-billionaire candy empire. He is best known for inventing M&M's and the Mars bar, as well as orchestrating the launch of Uncle Ben's.

He was the son of giant candy company Mars, Inc. founder Frank C. Mars. He created the Mars candy bar while estranged from his father in England in 1933. He later developed M&Ms after he returned to the USA.

He developed M&M's, the chocolate candy covered in a crunchy shell which "melts in your mouth, not in your hands," in 1940. They were modeled after a candy that he had discovered while in Spain during the 1930s.

He was married to Audrey Mars, who died in 1989, and he had three children - Forrest Jr., John, and Jacqueline.

Mars died at age 95, and had amassed a fortune of $4 billion. He was ranked as 30th in Forbes magazine's list of richest Americans (Forrest Jr. and John were 29th and 31st, respectively). He left the business to his sons.

Despite the enormous popular appeal of his products, he was personally reclusive and eccentric.