Portrait of Jacqueline Mars

Rank #40

Jacqueline Mars

Net worth $45.6B

Candy, pet food · United States

Born
Oct 10, 1939
Age
86
Source
Candy, pet food
Residence
The Plains, Virginia
Citizenship
United States
Marital status
Divorced
Children
3
Education
Bachelor of Arts/Science, Bryn Mawr College

Net worth over time

Biography

  • Jacqueline Mars owns an estimated one-third of Mars, the candy, food and pet care firm founded by her grandfather.
  • She worked for the company for nearly 20 years and served on the board until 2016.
  • Her son Stephen Badger is on Mars' board of directors.
  • Mars acquired snack company Kellavova in December 2025 for $35.9 billion including debt.
  • Her brother John owns an estimated third of Mars; her late brother Forrest Jr.'s four daughters own the rest.
  • Mars owns a horse farm in Virginia that has trained horses ridden by Olympic medalists.
  • Mars was founded in 1911 by Jacqueline's grandfather, Frank, who, along with her father Forrest Sr., invented the Milky Way bar in 1923.