Jacqueline Mars: Billionaire Chocolatier and Mars Inc. Heiress
When it comes to the world’s top billionaires, Jacqueline Mars has made the list with her success in the Mars Inc. confectionery enterprise. Mars was born and raised in a rich family of three children – her mother, Audrey Ruth, was the daughter of Frank C. Mars, the founder of Mars Inc. Jacqueline Mars and her siblings, John and Forrest, were later inducted into Mars’s parent company and were heirs to their grandfather’s fortune. While her brothers have retired from the business, Jacqueline has remained involved in the family-owned Mars Inc. for over 40 years.
Overview of Mars Inc.
Mars Inc. is a global food company that has been in operation since 1911, when it was established by Frank Mars in Tacoma, Washington. Today, the company has over 80,000 employees in 80 countries, including their flagship confectionery brand, M&M’s. Mars Inc. have achieved enormous success with the production of chocolates, gum and other products, and with the acquisition of other established companies such as Wrigley’s, Dolmio and Uncle Ben’s. In 2019, Mars Inc. was listed as one of the world’s largest privately-held companies with an estimated revenue of over $35 billion.
Jacqueline Mars’s Background
Jacqueline Mars was born in 1940 as the youngest daughter of Audrey Ruth and Forrest Mars Sr. After graduating from Vassar College in 1962 with a degree in anthropology, Mars went on to hold various positions within the family-owned Mars Inc., including production supervisor and director of market research. She eventually achieved the title of vice president of the company in 1979.
In addition to her illustrious career in the food business, Mars has always been an avid philanthropist, including her involvement in several organizations such as the Campaign for Female Education, World Wildlife Fund and the National Museum of Natural History.
Mars Comes In The Billionaires’ List
Although she already held a high-profile position within Mars Inc., Jacqueline’s fortune skyrocketed when in 2016, her estimated net worth increased to $23.4 billion following the sale of an 8.3% stake in the company to Warren Buffet and Jorge Paulo Lemann’s investment firm, 3G. As a result, Mars was announced as part of Forbes’s 2016 list of Global Billionaires.
Notable Contributions to the Mars Inc. Brand
Responsible for forging relationships with global suppliers, Jacqueline Mars has made it possible for Mars Inc. to expand its offerings to include products such as Petcare, Food and Drinks. She has also credited with launching Mars’ iconic chocolate bar, Snickers, back in 1978.
Today, as one of the wealthiest women in the world, Mars’ net worth is estimated over $23 billion. She owns over 20% of the Mars Inc. and holds the majority of her stake in her family trust, the Mars Foundation.
Jacqueline’s Charity Work
Mars has donated millions to causes associated with education, health, the environment and animal welfare. Some of the organizations she has supported include the Global Fund for Women, the Carter Center, Citymeals-on-Wheels, the National Geographic Society and the Smithsonian Institution.
In 2013, she also established the Jacqueline Mars Education Fund to support students interested in studying the sciences, technology and engineering, and to broaden educational opportunities in the US and worldwide.
Jacqueline Mars’s Achievements and Honors
Throughout her life, Jacqueline has been recognized for numerous accomplishments. In 2018, Mars was presented with the Daughters of the American Revolution Medal of Honor for her exceptional commitment to preserving the character of the United States and her exemplary civic, educational and philanthropic contributions.
In 2019, she was inducted into the prestigious Confectionery Hall of Fame for her commitment to the confectionery industry and for her role in the success of Mars Inc. She is also the recipient of the US Senate’s Women of Distinction Award and the Vassar College Alumnae Association’s Honorary Fellow of the Year Award.
Jacqueline Mars is an inspiring example of a successful businesswoman, philanthropist and heiress. Through her commitment to Mars Inc. and her charitable donations, she has made a lasting impact on her community and beyond. As one of the world’s top billionaires and largest stockholder in Mars Inc., Jacqueline is living proof that with hard work, dedication and generosity, anything can be achieved.
