John Franklyn Mars (born October 15, 1935) is an American businessman and heir. He is the chairman of Mars, Inc. As of November 2023, Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimated his net worth at US$46.4 billion, ranking him the 24th-richest person in the world (tied with his sister Jacqueline).[3]
John Franklyn Mars | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 15, 1935 (age 89) Arlington, Virginia, U.S. |
| Education | Yale University (BA) |
| Occupation(s) | Chairman, Mars, Inc. |
| Spouse |
Adrienne Bevis (m. 1958) |
| Children | 3[1][2] |
| Parent(s) | Forrest Mars, Sr. (1904–1999) Audrey Mars (1910–1989) |
| Relatives | Frank C. Mars (grandfather) Forrest Mars, Jr. (brother) Jacqueline Mars (sister) |
Early life and education
editJohn Franklyn Mars was born on October 15, 1935. He is the son of Audrey Ruth (Meyer) and Forrest Mars, Sr., and grandson of Frank C. Mars, founders of the American candy company Mars, Incorporated. Mars graduated from the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut, in 1953[4] and Yale University.
Career
editAs a member of the Mars family, his share of the company and other assets were worth US$10 billion in September 2010,[5] making him then the 52nd-richest person in the world and the 26th-richest person in America, according to Forbes.[5] As of October 2012, Mars was listed as the 30th-richest person in the world with an estimated net worth of $20.1 billion.[6]
According to the Hurun Global Rich List 2015, he was 28th richest person in the world with a net worth of US$26 billion.[7] In 2016, his net worth went up to $29 billion, and he became then the 19th-richest person in the world.
In January 2017, he paid $7.7 billion for VCA, Inc, a pet care company.[8]
Personal life
editHe married Adrienne Bevis in June 1958.[1][9] They have three children: Linda Anne Mars born May 23, 1960 (age 64), Frank Edward Mars born March 13, 1963 (age 61), and Michael John Mars born November 22, 1967 (age 56).[1][2]
He formerly lived in Fairfax County, Virginia[10] but now resides in Jackson, Wyoming.[5] In the 2010 to 2014 Forbes rankings of personal wealth, Mars was the highest ranked person whose photograph was unavailable to the magazine.[5]
In March 2015, Queen Elizabeth II awarded him an honorary knighthood at Windsor Castle.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Descendants of William Langley Bevis". Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
- ^ a b Gleick, Elizabeth (February 21, 1994). "Crisis in Candy Land". People Vol. 41 No. 7.
- ^ "Bloomberg Billionaires Index: John Mars". Bloomberg. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "Alumni Award: PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS". The Hotchkiss School. 2004. Archived from the original on March 10, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Forbes 400 Richest Americans (2010): #26 John Mars". Forbes. September 16, 2010. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
- ^ "Bloomberg Billionaires Index". Bloomberg LP. Archived from the original on December 14, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
- ^ "ºúÈó°Ù¸» - www.hurun.net". www.hurun.net. Archived from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ "John Mars". Forbes. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
- ^ "Director Emerita: Adrienne Mars". World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
- ^ "The World's Billionaires (2010): #52 John Mars". Forbes. March 3, 2010. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
- ^ Code, Inspiring. "Atlantico Press". Atlântico Press.