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Jacqueline Mars
United States
Net Worth
$41B
Source of Wealth
Mars Inc.
Global Rank
#32 of 157
About Jacqueline Mars
Jacqueline Mars is a co-owner of Mars, Incorporated, one of the largest privately held companies in the world. The Mars family business, founded by her grandfather Frank Mars in 1911, produces some of the most recognized consumer brands on the planet, including M&M's, Snickers, Milky Way, Skittles, Twix, Pedigree, Whiskas, and Uncle Ben's. Jacqueline, along with her brother John, inherited the company from their father Forrest Mars Sr., who built it into a global powerhouse.
Jacqueline served on the Mars board of directors for decades, providing steady governance and strategic insight that helped the company navigate generational transitions while maintaining its commitment to quality and the famous 'Five Principles' — Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom. Under the family's stewardship, Mars has grown into a company generating over $50 billion in annual revenue across confectionery, pet care, food, and veterinary health.
Beyond her role at Mars, Jacqueline is a dedicated equestrian and philanthropist. She has been deeply involved in supporting the arts, land conservation, and community causes throughout her life. Her commitment to keeping Mars private and family-controlled has allowed the company to invest for the long term, maintain its distinctive culture, and uphold the values that have made it a beloved institution for over a century.
Key Achievements
Stewardship of Mars Inc.
Served as a director and co-owner of Mars, helping guide the privately held company to over $50 billion in annual revenue while maintaining the family values and quality standards established over three generations.
Preservation of Private Ownership
Played a key role in keeping Mars, Inc. privately held, allowing the company to maintain its unique culture, long-term investment horizon, and commitment to the Five Principles without public market pressures.
Philanthropic Leadership
Generously supported causes in the arts, education, land conservation, and community development, reflecting the Mars family's deep commitment to giving back.
Equestrian Excellence
Became an accomplished equestrian competitor, reflecting the discipline, dedication, and passion that characterize the Mars family approach to all endeavors.
Notable Quotes
“The Five Principles are not just words on a wall — they are how we run our business and live our lives.”
— Jacqueline Mars
“Keeping Mars private allows us to think about the next generation, not the next quarter.”
— Jacqueline Mars
Key Decisions
Joined the Mars, Inc. board of directors, bringing her perspective and commitment to the family's business values to the company's governance during a critical period of global expansion.
Supported the decision to expand Mars into pet health care through the acquisition of veterinary hospital chains, diversifying the company beyond confectionery and pet food.
Endorsed the Mars family's commitment to sustainability with the company's Sustainable in a Generation Plan, pledging billions to address climate change and resource scarcity.
Life Lessons & Insights
Stewardship Over Ownership
Jacqueline Mars has embodied the principle that inheriting great wealth is not a privilege but a responsibility. Her decades of service on the Mars board reflect a belief that family wealth must be actively stewarded — preserved, grown, and directed toward meaningful purposes — rather than simply enjoyed.
The Power of Private Ownership
By helping keep Mars, Inc. private, Jacqueline has demonstrated that freedom from public market pressures enables a company to invest for the long term, maintain its culture, and make decisions based on values rather than quarterly earnings expectations.
Philanthropy
Jacqueline Mars has directed her philanthropic efforts toward the arts, land conservation, and community development. She has been a generous supporter of the National Archives Foundation, cultural institutions in Washington, D.C., and conservation efforts that protect natural landscapes. The Mars family's broader philanthropic footprint includes the company's Sustainable in a Generation Plan, which committed billions of dollars to addressing climate change, water scarcity, and poverty in the supply chain.
Deep Dives
Go deeper into what makes Jacqueline Mars exceptional.
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