Forrest Mars

Forrest Edward Mars Jr. (August 16, 1931 – July 26, 2016) was an American heir and businessman. He was the eldest son of Audrey Ruth (Meyer) and Forrest Mars Sr., and the grandson of Frank C. Mars, the founder of Mars, Incorporated. He served as Co-President of the confectionery company from 1975 to 1999. In March 2015, Forbes estimated his wealth to be $26.8 billion up from US$11 billion in March 2010. In October 2012, the Bloomberg Billionaires List ranked Mars as the 31st richest man in the world with an estimated net worth of $20.1 billion. Early life Mars graduated from the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut, in 1949 and Yale University. He served as a finance officer in the United States Army. Career Mars started working for his family company in 1959, first as a financial officer. He was soon appointed the General Manager of a new factory in the Netherlands, then in 1966 he became the Managing Director of Mars France. He returned to the United States in 1970 to become Group Vice President of Mars Inc. In 1975, he and his brother John F. Mars became Co-Presidents and oversaw substantial growth of the company. Mars Jr retired in 1999 but remained on the Board of Directors until 2006.