Active house
Mars family
Mars, Incorporated · United States · founded 1911
Confectionery and pet-care group that has never been public and reports no external shareholders.
Family fortune
$134B
Bloomberg Family Index, as of 2025-12-31
Generations
4
Documented members
5
Industries
Confectionery, Pet care
Founders, principals and heirs
Frank C. Mars
Founder · generation 1 · 1883–1934
Started the candy business in Tacoma, Washington.
Forrest Mars Sr.
Principal · generation 2 · 1904–1999
Built the international business and created M&M's.
Jacqueline Mars
Heir · generation 3 · 1939–
Board member and philanthropist.
John Franklyn Mars
Heir · generation 3 · 1935–
Former chairman.
Victoria Mars
Heir · generation 4 · 1956–
Chair of the board 2014-2017.
Legacy
Family members have historically held operating roles rather than passive stakes.
Evidentiary standard
Family fortunes are only recorded where a named wealth desk publishes a standing family-level estimate; the source and valuation date are shown with the figure. Houses whose assets are held through charitable trusts, foundations, or sovereign vehicles carry no figure, because no verifiable personal total exists. Lineage entries are limited to publicly documented family members.