17.Jacqueline Mars

Jacqueline Mars

 Net Worth

$17 B As of September 2012

At a Glance

• Age: 73
• Source of Wealth: candy
• Residence: The Plains, VA
• Country of Citizenship: United States
• Education: Bachelor of Arts / Science, Bryn Mawr College
• Marital Status: Divorced
• Children: 3

Forbes Lists

#17 Forbes 400

#52 Forbes Billionaires 

#22 in United States

Profile:

Jacqueline Mars and her two brothers, John and Forrest Jr, own the largest candy company in the world, $33 billion (estimated sales) Mars, thanks in part to its $23 billion acquisition of gum maker Wrigley's in 2008. Sales in Skittles, the candy Trayvon Martin was eating when he was shot, jumped as people bought the colored chewy candies in support of Martin. The candy maker's other famous brands include Milky Way, M&M's, 3 Musketeers, Twix, and Snickers, reportedly named for the Mars family's favorite horse. Jacqueline's grandfather, Frank Mars, began making chocolates in 1911 in his Tacoma, Wash. kitchen. Her father, Forrest Sr., joined the company in 1929, around same time when the firm invented malt-flavored nougat that became the basis of Milky Way and Snickers; also M&M's, over 400 million of which are produced in the United States each day.. Mars also owns consumer and pet food brands including Uncle Ben's Rice and Whiskas. Jacqueline is a trustee of the United States Equestrian team and sits on the board of the Washington National Opera, which completed a merger with the Kennedy Center in 2011.