Mars family
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Mars family is a family that owns the confectionary company Mars, Inc., bearing their name. The family was called the richest family in America by Fortune magazine in 1988.
Upon the death of Forrest Mars, Sr., he and his two sons were ranked #29, 30, and 31 by Forbes magazine's list of richest Americans, and they each had a worth of approximately $4 billion. As of 2008, Forrest Mars's three children are ranked by Forbes List of "The World's Billionaires" as #46, with $14.0 billion each [1].
The family is fiercely protective of their privacy, refusing to do interviews with the press or, with the exception of Jacqueline Mars, be photographed in public.[2]
The Mars family was among 18 billionaire families who successfully lobbied Congress to eliminate the estate tax. [1]. According to Public Citizen, since 1994 the families have spent approximately $500 million on lobbying efforts.
The family members are:
- Franklin Clarence Mars (1883-1934) - founder of Mars, Inc. Invented the Milky Way bar.
- Ethel G. Kissack - first wife of Franklin C. Mars
- Ethel Veronica Healy - second wife of Franklin C. Mars
- Forrest Edward Mars, Sr. (1904-1999) - son of Franklin C. Mars. Invented M&M's.
- Audrey Mars (died 1989) - wife of Forrest E. Mars, Sr.
- Forrest Edward Mars, Jr. - son of Forrest E. Mars Sr.
- Virginia Mae Cretella - Ex-wife of Forrest E. Mars, Jr.
- Victoria (Vickie) Mars - First daughter of Forrest Mars, Jr. & Virginia Mars
- Valerie (Val) Mars - Second daughter of Forrest Mars, Jr. & Virginia Mars
- Pamela (Pam) Mars - Third daughter of Forrest Mars, Jr. & Virginia Mars
- Marijke Mars - Fourth daughter of Forrest Mars, Jr. & Virginia Mars
- John Franklyn Mars - son of Forrest E. Mars Sr.
- Adrienne Bevis - wife of John Mars
- Jacqueline Mars - daughter of Forrest E. Mars Sr.
- Hank Vogel - Ex-husband of Jacqueline Mars
[edit] Mars's family fortune
List of Mars's family fortune as of March 5, 2008 published by Forbes.
- Forrest Edward Mars, Jr. US$14.0 billion
- Jacqueline Mars US$14.0 billion
- John Mars US$14.0 billion
- Total: US$42.0 billion
