Jacqueline Mars is one of the heirs of Mars Incorporated, makers of the globally famous chocolate bar. And to get an idea of just how big this company is, here’s a quick read on Jacqueline Mars net worth.
For everyone who has enjoyed the famous snack, although the taste is out of this world, the name of this tasty treat was not inspired by the planet Elon Musk or Amazon’s Jeff Bezos are trying to conquer. The confectionery company was founded over a hundred years ago by Franklin Clarence Mars.
Jacqueline Mars is the founder’s granddaughter and an heiress to the multi-billion dollar empire. Like Francoise Bettencourt of L’Oreal, the sum of Jacqueline Mars net worth is comprised of her inheritance from the family’s fortune. Her current wealth makes her one of the wealthiest women in America.
Jacqueline Mars Net Worth
Looking closely at the 83-year-old heiress’ fortune, Jacqueline Mars net worth is $31.5 billion. She is in 19th place in Forbes 400 richest people and has taken the 41st spot on the Forbes list of Billionaires.
Jacqueline was appointed Mars president in 1982 and served for almost 20 years until she stepped down in 2001. She is also the former director and chairman of The National Confectioners Association (NCA).
Jacqueline Mars – Short Bio
Early Life
Jacqueline Mars was born on October 10th, 19396, in Washington, D.C, to Forrest Edward Mars Sr. and Ethel Veronica Mars. Jacqueline has two brothers named John Franklyn Mars and Forrest Mars, Jr.
Like every child born from the households of the upper echelon, Jacqueline and her siblings were raised according to their status. She received education and graduated from prestigious institutions like Miss Hall’s school for girls for her early years and Bryn Mawr College, where she finished a degree in anthropology.
According to Investopedia, the Mars family is currently the second richest family in the world with $142 billion, next to the owners of Walmart, the Walton family with $212 billion, and above the famous Koch family of Koch Industries with $124 billion to their name.
Jacqueline Mars’ Career
Family History
The was founded in 1911 as a manufacturer of confectionery and veterinary needs. SLikeMike McGowan’s Crumbl Cookies, Frank Mars started his chocolate empire from his humble kitchen. Frank learned how to make hand-dipped chocolates as a boy and started selling candies at 19.
Frank began his venture in the 1920s, and it’s good to note that his initial attempt failed. They produced and sold candies fresh and wholesale. Unfortunately, Brown & Haley, creators of Amond Roca, was a tough competitor. Mars had to close up his business. The family left Tacoma, Washington, for a fresh start.
This was when they returned to their hometown in Minnesota to set up Mars Incorporated.
Here’s a fun fact, the first Mars chocolate bar was called Mar-O-Bar. After a few tweaks, the product was renamed Milky Way. This year, Mar-O-Bar is making a comeback. Ethel M Chocolates, a subsidiary of mars named after Frank Mars’ wife.
Growing the Business
Going back to the family’s history, Frank had a falling out with his son, Forrest. He gave him the updated recipe as a parting gift to start his own business. It was first manufactured in 1932.
After a few years of disagreement, the father and son reunited, only to have a second fallout when Forrest expressed his intent to expand the family business abroad. He pursued the potential he saw in the business that Frank was yet to realize at the time. And thank’s to Forrest. The family came to its current fame.
The varieties of the candy maker’s products steadily reached and dominated the global market, releasing one best-selling brand after another. They brought us Snickers, M&Ms, Dove, Bounty Bar, Twix, and many more.
Jacqueline Mars started her career in the company in 1982 and retired in June 2019. She inherited a large portion of her father’s empire after Frank Mars died in 1999. Like her brother John, Jacqueline received $24 billion from the family’s fortune, a larger share than their brother Forrest Jr.
Jacqueline Mars’ Achievements
We can only assume that Jacqueline pursued her ambitions before she got into the family business in 1982. She didn’t instantly rely on her name’s prestige and pursued ventures of her own.
Jacqueline worked for the company for nearly 20 years, served on the board until 2016, and then completely retired in 2019.
The heiress is known for her passion for horses and nature, interests she inherited from her grandfather, Frank Mars. Jacqueline owns a horse farm in Virginia that has trained horses ridden by Olympic medalists.
She became a trustee of the U.S. Equestrian Team and sat on the National Advisory Council of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground.
In 2012, Jacqueline received the inaugural Heritage Award granted by the Foundation for the National Archives.
Jacqueline Mars’ Personal Life
Jacqueline Mars has three children with her first husband, David Badger. They are Stephen Badger, Alexandra Badger, and Christa Badger. The couple got married in 1961 and divorced in 1984.
Her second marriage with Harold Vogel, in 1986, ended in 1994.
Jacqueline Mars Net Worth – Frequently Asked Questions
What Does Jaqueline Mars Own?
Aside from the wealth, she inherited from her father, Jacqueline Mars bred and trained horses for the US Equestrian Team. She is listed as the 6th wealthiest woman in the world and 19th on Forbes Magine’s 400 richest in the country.
How Old is Jaqueline Mars?
Jacqueline Mars is currently 83 years old. She was born on October 10th, 1939, and one of the three children of Forrest Mars Sr.
Who Owns Mars Chocolate?
The famous candy bar was created by Forrest Mars in 1932 and is still owned by the family today.
Conclusion – Jacqueline Mars Net Worth
The Mars family is known for being very secretive, but in one of her rare interviews, Jacqueline shared how their father had her, and her brothers earned their allowance by doing chores. They were born wealthy but raised to work hard for their goals. She remembered him as a strict, frugal man whom she respected dearly.
Jacqueline and her brothers followed Frank’s parenting and raised their children to appreciate hard work.
These extraordinary people continue to follow an ordinary path to find prominence. We’ve all heard the preachings on hard work, education, passion, and pursuing interests and how those can lead to our success.
Jacqueline and her family’s legacy is just one of many success stories that inspire people that a bright future with financial freedom is not impossible with hard work and a little inspiration.
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