How A Broke Candy Maker Started The Second Richest Family in America

The world-famous Mars corporation is a multi-billion-dollar confectionary giant run by a family who is as tight-lipped about their personal lives as they are about their business practices.
The company is known for its fortress levels of secrecy, with photographs of key family members hard to come by.
Yet over the years historians have been able to shed light on the inner workings and family history of one of America’s wealthiest dynasties. A dynasty that also dominates pet food markets, pasta sauces and chewing gum.
But is running your own chocolate family as sweet as it sounds or will the strain it puts on your loved ones leave a sour taste in your mouth?
Considering this once small-time family-run sweet shop is now a bigger brand than McDonalds, Kellogg’s and even four times as big as Hershey - their biggest competitor - it’s fair to say we could all learn a lot about running a business - and family - by examining the Mars Corporation.
So it's time to learn How History Works as we peel back the wrapper on the rise and lives of the Mars Family: Sweets, Success and Secrecy.
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#HowHistoryWorks #business #history
Link To My Other Channel: / howmoneyworks
Written By: Sam Ely
Video Created By: Gabriela Gutierrez
Footage Courtesy of: Getty Images
Music Provided By: Epidemic Sound
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact [e-mail]
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SOURCRES
www.snackhistory.com/frank-mars/
lemelson.mit.edu/resources/fo...
zaf.mars.com/about/history/19...
www.thoughtco.com/history-of-...
www.independent.co.uk/arts-en...
www.forbes.com/profile/forres...

[@Sosi288]

Ah... Those good old days when you could pay for a Yale tuition by working part time at a coffee shop...

[@Zeero3846]

He probably could've done better with his family, but remember, wealth isn't money. The business itself is the wealth, and the competency to run one is valuable all on its own, even though you couldn't put a price on it. He's a wise man, at least, to know that you don't make money only to have spoiled kids to give them to. It's like you really didn't leave them with anything but money.

[@zaco-km3su]

Wealth is money or assets. Depends.

[@Priva_C]

Some of us wish money was the only thing they left for us. My parents were sentenced to life in prison when I was 7. They were millionaires before the feds took it all. I'm 40 now and despite having the education, great career, clean record, healthy and strong bond with my kids; I'm still struggling today because of their decisions. History does repeat itself. My entire life has been to work harder than everyone else to avoid that from happening.

[@burazfly]

You don't get rich in life by living wealthy. You do it by living the same and keep earning more. I know because as millennial who will buy his own apartment in a year by frugality. Coming from a European poor country and working in a richer European country to make this possible, it brings me to tears knowing. There are some other people who went thru the same.

[@JackClayton123]

Agreed. But I think he was a little overboard (not with the frugality). I believe it was Buffet who said he would give his kids enough money to do what the wanted in life, but not so much as to be able to do nothing. Of course, it is assumed that as a parent, he would teach his kids about wealth and finance as opposed to luxury, as most millionaires do. That is more important to kids than just giving them cash.

[@Itzsfo0]

​@@JackClayton123meh most ultra wealthy families just give their kids all the wealth all the assets and lots of cash so they can do nothing regardless. Dupont family = 9 generations, 225 years its all handed down eventually. The waltons who own walmart, cargill-macmillan family, shoan family of u haul. There may be 1 or 2 children who sit on board of trustees an help ,manage the family namesake business. These were the days of old where religion an virtue were instilled an they lived frugile an didnt give their childrens or grandchildren anything. Nowadays its diff, i personally known a family (while not a household name or rockefeller levels of wealth) they are still a billionaire dynasty passing through 3-4 generations. Here on east coast (maryland) mid atlantic region. This family owns 1 of the largest law firms on east coast (Angelos, Henninger & Glass). Peter angelos was the patriarch. He passed away not long ago in his mid 90s. He owned the angelos law firm (which opened back in the 50s, in baltimore and by 1970s was specializing in product liability i.e holding companies accountable. They went after Bethlehem steel (beth steele for shorts). Representing some 8700 steel yard workers with asbestos poisoning (which we were just learning about lead an asbestos poisoning back then which can lead to mesothelioma) it was a big suit big case that dragged on for a decade w millions in legal fees, was a huge case in the news/media. Angelos won an w a 25% contingency fee he went home with $330 million. Untold amounts made for the thousands of recipients. He went onto go after tobacco companies in the 80s Representing the maryland health dept. Filed on behalf of the state, he lobbied state legislator to get the surgeon general warning on all cigarettes. He made an additional $150 million off that case. And other cases as well. He went onto buy u0 land, areas in east baltimore (tons of real estate at the inner harbor ) and in early 90s bought the baltimore orioles mlb baseball team + stadium (camden yards) in 1993 for a (at the time then record price of) $173 million he was part of a group of investors including fellow baltimore native famous author Tom clancy (who is now deceased) at the time new york venture capitalist Eli Jacobs owned the orioles by angelos (a small greek guy from east baltimore) by him buying orioles they were now in the hands of a baltimore/maryland. He also owns several casinos an race tracks including PIMLICO in baltimore (where the preakness is held each year) , as well as the 4 star hays adam hotel in washington d.c (the onr across fr the white house). Angelos was worth $4.4 billion in 2019 upon his death, or $2.1 Billion in 1996, he became a billionaire in late 80s. So for the last few decades he was ultra wealthy not 10s or 100s of billions but nonetheless. His children 1 son 1 daughter are now in their late 60s an early 70s. They are themselvs retired now. His daughter pauline. Is 73 retired fr FBI (dept of defense) very high ranking fed agent for 3 decades. She married a vietnam vet she met growing up in baltimore her husband became one of the top executives at general ,motors (gmc in baltimore). The son of peter angelos was im naval academy then worked up the ranks to lt commander of eastern district of baltimore city police. Entire family is full of CEOs high ranking retired feds w large pensions, free vehicles from general motors, high ranking law enforcment & all that isnt even to include the sports teams, law firms, hotel, casino, etc. Pauline 2 children (the grand children) of peter angelos is whom i know and grew up with. The guy i know tho dont see anymore very rarely now that were in our 40s an been decades since graduating high school in early 00s. He had some drug problems for yrs but nothing crazy or serious. Never in anything real serious, and family has always a very low profile never any crazy stories or real infamy like many older generational wealth/dynastys you see. So theyve remained very private, but the guy i knew particular in my youth an early adult hood into our mid 20s. Occasionally once in a bright moon hear fr him. He never married or had kids, he lives on the same massive family estate he did growing up. A giant 100 acre compound w body shop, garden, inground heated pool, 4 car garage, barn, shed,4 wheelers and golf cart and a summer home 2,5 hours away out of state. Andrew was always socialble enough an competent, friendly had his issues later on w drugs but he never got into any legal or financial trouble and for most part has always been level headed not insane or eccentric, like many would assume he had a solid wealthy 2 parent household. You can see despite anything (being kinda a burnout, having some issues in past) hes ok and fairly coherent, functional, level headed. No one is perfect of course he lives at home its just now his mother pauline and him in this large compound. Hes easy to please and doesnt want much despite being handed everything, little coddled sure but at this point its just him an his aging mother whom he has a good relationship w she takes care of major mansion bills an he does all the work round house, landscaping, dishes, the pets, laundry, car maintenance, pool maintenance, groceries, cook n cleanup, he worked for yrs after high school like 15 yrs into his ,mid to late 30s as a warehouse manager an forklift operator/lead equipment manager w good pay an benefits. + a trust (annuity) per year in the 6 figures + never had kids or college or medical debt, an his vehicles have been free over the yrs due to his dads career at GMC. His dads also gone now too passed in 2022 fr cancer at 76 yrs old jus a few yrs older then his wife. And of course andrews grand father the billionaire was gone by 2019. So just him and his mother now and big home[s] both of which the mortgages are paid off an no debts so they sit retired w few obstacles and or bills. + they got a law firm to help them manage their wealth. Andy has an older sister shes a decade older hes my age (41 born 1983) his sister chrissy is 50 born 74 or 73. Shes divorced w 2 basicalky grown kids an so andy has a niece n nephew he helped raise growing up, good kids for the most part. Andys sister chrissy also had a trust growing up but shes also very educated an went into the path her ,mother did (state govt vs her mother in fed govt). She works fr home down street fr where andy an his mom live she has 2 decades w state govt (cms = centers for medicaid an Medicare) andys mom mrs pauline joke if it wasnt for her daughter Christina having kids she wouldn't ever be a grandmother cos andy is something (as kinda hinted at) a neckbeard stereotype basement dweller. But a very rich one who has had free cars free room n board (in a mansion he will inherit when his mother passes) w many ,machines an acres of land a law firm to help w estate planning, all mortgages n car payments paid off, just monthly bills ans utilities he will have to take care of. He doesnt use social ,media at all an while he enjoys gaming its strictly offline/single player type games, he rarely travels as havin 1 rottweiler dog n pitbull is like havin 2 large powerful kids to take care of 24/7. Andy has an entire floor (sure it may be the stereotypical basement) but its nicer an (something like 3,000 sq feet) 2 full bedrooms, small jacuzzi indoor, small bar stool n bar table, all the nicest n newest tech, 85 inch 4k tv , wifi mesh network, memory foam posture pedic bed, fireplace the dogs stay downstairs w him..also a gym downstairs (that he never uses) washer n dryer an his own kitchen downstairs an his mom upstairs w her own kitchen, an bedrooms, computer room, etc. They get along but have separate wings n floors she pays the bills an he does all the physical labor an dogs stay downstairs w him. Hes a taller big dude not huge but like a 6 foot 220 dark black hair, olive complexion (hence the greek in him/Mediterranean)

[@f3n1xplat3ad0]

They own 3 large veterinary hospitals in the US. 1. Banfield (1000 hospitals) 2. VCA (over 1,000 hospitals) 3. Blue Pearl (103 hospitals) Along with a veterinary reference laboratory named Antech (one of the 3 labs who holds a monopoly in the US). Along with dog food such as Pedigree, Royal Canin, ect.

[@kenim]

The scale, considering its a FAMILY OWNED bussiness is astonishing.

[@carlorielmendez6505]

Then you figure out that pets are becoming the main craze for the next decade or two as people are starting to prefer a dog or a cat over raising children. No wonder pet food stocks are increasing value and sales for the past few years.

[@duancoviero9759]

Oh wow 😮, thanks for that interesting tidbit

[@kerembilgen923]

@@carlorielmendez6505 terry smith have been saying this for years

[@MadhavVij]

Criminally underrated channel, this is a love story between money and history, what's not to love about it? Adding Sam, this channel is just my comfort zone. I hope it gets picked up by the algorithm and becomes huge soon.

[@mustang8206]

No point in being rich if you can't actually enjoy it. This dude was addicted to success

[@raplove7842]

And thanks to that addiction we have a variety of sweets to pick from. Be grateful.

[@GoingtoHecq]

Forest Mars may have wanted to be strict, but he really must have been a completely self absorbed jerk if he made his wife go hungry when she was pregnant just to avoid letting anyone in his family experience luxury.

[@dinglshingle]

he really shouldve been less cruel to his own family

[@orboakin8074]

Wow! I had no idea the history of the Mars company was this fascinating. In Nigeria, my country, they are the second most popular brand of candy you find in stores, besides Cadbury.

[@Umbreon-ln7fe]

I've met a couple members of the Mars family (Linda and Victoria) and they've been personable enough. I can't say much regarding their business capabilities as I'm not exposed to that side of them. They've always had a soft spot for our local products and often request we ship them a few hundred packs of product not available in international markets.

[@judgmentstar843]

Whats the product

[@quasinfinity]

inb4 they release a comparable competing product

[@Umbreon-ln7fe]

I was referencing Mars Pods which are made only for the Australian market except for the few shipments we make directly to the Mars family back in the States

[@free22]

I would hate to build a business that would alienate my children to the extent that they do not want others to say my name in their presence. Does not sound like a success to me.

[@samuelpo3378]

how tf does this video only have 42k views? expected it to be in the millions, def subscribing.

[@wyswygsommer2769]

I dont know what the company does in term of distribution, but mars, snikers and co. are in every supermarket, gas station, etc. across europe. Their spots on the shelfs seem inviolable. Many other new sweets companies are basically got pushed away due to the limited spots.

[@sisilotau2185]

Same here in the U.S. They have firm control of their market. Even the animal food is in every store you go to here.

[@unmanned_mission]

I spent a few years traveling around the world as a salesman, I've spent tons of money on their products, they are everywhere, in every city, Shop, supermarket, airport just an arm stretch away. I always wondered how they got this kind of dominance

[@Gaspardrow]

The idea of not spoiling your children and challenging them is great, but not showing the your love and care is abusive, all the money in the world will not replace the true love and care of family... Bad move forest... Hope they made up before his death 🙏

[@sidneyboo9704]

Agreed. If I was rich, I'd probably have a smaller house and less stuff but to have a freezing apartment and a pregnant wife not eating enough is just plain cruel.

[@chellybub]

This was great, really reminds me of Krupp in a lot of ways. Almost bankrupting the family for a dream, passing on a legacy of strict rules, quality over everything. Though they did go off the deep end there towards the end... Interesting that this also came when the heir acted like a rich playboy. Maybe Mr. Mars had a point.

[@HowHistoryWorks]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@margamaster]

Worked for Mars in 1994-1996 in Europe. Met Forrest Mars Jr. He was a peculiar guy.

[@johnhaydt7563]

MARS is one of the largest owners of Veterinary Medicine Practices in the world. They normally buy a going concern with a managing Veterinarian and one or more Associate Veterinarians grossing at least $1 million per year, excellent cash flow, etc. Have you considered reporting on this end of MARS, inc?

[@stephendebruijn3276]

It was Forrest Jr who started the factory in the Netherlands. Not his brother John. And the picture you are using being Forrest Senior is the picture of Forrest Junior. Forrest Junior died in 2016 at the age of 84.

[@deannal.newton9772]

I knew that Mars was family owned but I never knew that they were that rich. I remember watching an episode of The Food That Built America when they talked about Mars and Hershey. To what I understand he was already a successful candy maker and he even took in his estranged son. Good to know about more of the details because they didn't talk about that much on the show, but I do know that M&Ms was first made in Newark, New Jersey. I think they moved the location to Hackensack afterwards but at the same time I always thought that Mars Jr. had sold the company as oppose to keeping it in the family and making it a lot of money.

[@johncolten4248]

Their not rich they are wealthy. That wealth stretches over four different generations.

[@deannal.newton9772]

@@johncolten4248 Which has the second generation put all his money into the business while his own family had to go by without any heat in the house. At least you could say that he didn't spoil his own kids back then.

[@ritto6323]

8:06 "Jesse, youu asked me if i was in the candy maker business or the money business? Neither, i'm in the empire business"

[@ronaldhemmings6619]

Kudos! Solid channel

[@Technique1995]

Loved it. Do more business history videos.

[@cldtcts]

This was excellent. I enjoyed all of it.

[@qmaster1716]

another great video

[@baswar]

I admire his business principles and clearly its working. But whats the point in being so harsh to his kids? Whats the point of the wealth if not for them?

[@zaco-km3su]

Not having cold apartments and having good food is not wealth.

[@gerardjagroo]

Wealth will corrupt them and make them soft. It takes strong and resolute characters to make and maintain something great. Mars was wise enough to look into the future and see this. All it takes is one soft entitled useless incompetent to demolish what his father and grandfather built. Keeping the wolves hungry means they remain wolves not fat spoilt lapdogs

[@LuseGoose]

He wanted wealth for the sake of wealth

[@kaioneal6160]

He wanted an empire not wealth

[@askroller]

Very interesting story, thank you for sharing it.

[@Quantumrevela]

Dear sir this video is of absolute quality.

[@me0101001000]

Story is interesting and all, but the writing really made me chuckle. I love puns.

[@HowHistoryWorks]

Thanks! How Money Works here. Very impressed by Sam (new writer of How History Works). His writing is incredible!

[@dancingdingo]

I went on a blind date with this guy who would say that he's the man from Mars. First thing I thought of was the planet and thought he was mad then he explained that he worked for the candy company 😂. It made him memorable.😜

[@paulblichmann2791]

We COULD have tasty delightful candies, instead we have nothing more than CONGEALED corn syrup. Thanks a lot, jerks.

[@carlettagoodrich-mann1377]

Candy girls made it BIG. The narrative for industrial indulgence continues.

[@Miriam-pn7jy]

Fascinating!

[@tealablu3759]

They also invested in wheaton college in MA. Two of our buildings are named MARS, and everyone got M&Ms in the school’s colors with the name on it

[@mike2ykme]

This is ridiculous. Like how are you going to make those who you support not have enough food just to raise them “tough”? Seems more like a jerk

[@glennnielsen8054]

These are tough but sound principles that are being described.

[@Ntplano]

Amazing

[@tudwortyjmcguern5689]

not having stockholders dictating what they know nothing about has its advantages

[@gerardjagroo]

In choosing to ensure his children were not corrupted by wealth, Forest Mars proved himself to be a wise man. If all his progeny hold to this principle the Mars family will continue to be a force to be reckoned with. _Hard times make hard men etc etc_

[@zaco-km3su]

The guy exaggerated with how he treated his family. The family business will go down sooner or later...most likely. If the current generation of kids are treated the same way, they might start wasting money when they're older.

[@jaylewis9876]

Its interesting the kids resented the treatment growing up then repeated it. Perhaps a kinder version to preserve the key lessons without becoming as unlovable

[@Agaudio7]

How History and Money works meshed, GODD, VERY GOOD

[@petergreenwald9639]

Nothing like laying up all your treasure here on earth... and departing it to oblivion.

[@fightsports66]

I’m an empire maker…..you should have inserted that clip of Walter White from Breaking Bad saying “I’m in the empire business !”

[@Ntplano]

Mars is a one of f my favorite.

[@MrEcuadorian]

This is a riveting story about a man with an all- consuming (even obsessive) life goal, that shaped the generations of his family and their legacy. Uncompromising to the bitter end, I wonder if, at his last days, he felt accomplished. He did not raise a happy family, but he raised a successful one😢

[@anthropo1]

W video!

[@HowHistoryWorks]

W comment

[@jasonhaven7170]

How many people do you have running these channels?

[@quasinfinity]

I don't know if I could handle that upbringing, but I could certainly handle being given the privilege to take out a startup loan.

[@pcdeni]

Why is the voice different?

[@HowHistoryWorks]

Because it's better

[@aimlesslegs623]

I like the old voice better!

[@sandran17]

I do like the new voice over dude but I wish he got a name himself.

[@stevojohn]

Pacers?

[@XQUADRA1]

you dont need to be rich to live in a heated house and be able to eat food,this is stupid.Whats the point of having wealth if your not gonna use it

[@fightsports66]

Yeah, I know people who believe in being tough on kids but making your pregnant wife go hungry? That’s inexcusable to me.

[@themodernboomer1300]

Bro at 14 seconds literally a elf

[@benjiunofficial]

I'll never understand how Forrest got away with turning that girl into a giant blueberry. I guess it was a different time.

[@Sosi288]

"and by age nineteen he had no teeth left..."

[@Wafflelover344]

The global version of Mars or Milky Way is Three Musketeers? Why doesn't it have caramel then and just nougat?

[@fightsports66]

Different parts of the world have different tastes. I didn’t realize this until I made friends with a coworker who came to the U.S. from Scotland. He hated the candy here. He would go to a store that carries only candy from the U.K. and Ireland. I had no idea this store even existed in L.A. and have lived here for years.

[@Chris-yc3mm]

Marathon 4 ever

[@oneofakind9995]

This choclate lore is getting outta hand

[@HOHLfmly]

Have you looked into how the 3rd Richest Family in America to this day ( November 2023)Uses Child Labor on its Coco fields, investigative reporters, visited multiple farms and found children on all of them some as young as six years old. Mars has sworn that it will have stopped using all child labor by 2025, but it seems to this reporter that child labor is expanding in the last eight years.

[@perigosu8449]

0:48 sour or bitter?

[@JuliusSiezure]

MILTON HERSHEY HAD NO BIOLOGICAL CHILDERN

[@AP-lw4rw]

WHAT A PHENOMENAL ENTREPRENEUR!

[@smeggeruk]

2:21 How (or why?) exactly did he "lick his womb"? Can't even blame the auto-generated subtitles, you even SAY womb (or it sounds like it)

[@SiegfriedStumpfer]

Wounds*

[@smeggeruk]

@@SiegfriedStumpfer I know what he meant, but both his mouth AND the auto-generated subtitles apparently didn't

[@Donkeyearsa]

I would pass. The stress is not worth it.

[@randomx4289]

Smart man, a bit extreme with the lack of food at home when you're basically a millionaire already but other than that spot on as a wealthy parent who has no interest in raising spoilt trust fund babies. Look at Jackie Chan guy gave his kids everything including allowances and they squandered their riches one apparently became addicted to drugs and the other doesn't work and was disowned, well both were apparently disowned by Jackie.

[@weltvonalex]

It's so old fashioned that their kids are not allowed to eat their products.

[@Hydrodictyon]

Wait what’s with the voice

[@whatsup3519]

Could u pls make video on business terms,and how to run business. strategic to save business eg. Google against chatgpt, Netflix against Amazon prime. Kind of a crash course in your youtube channel.

[@fromthedivinesource7059]

Got rich off poisoning

[@pj20050]

Americans don't like Maltesers??????????

[@lagarde2011]

Maltesers probably didn't sell in the US because we already have Whoppers (made by Hershey's), which are very similar and already familiar to consumers. I knew Maltesers from living in Europe and was surprised to see them being sold here a few years ago. I prefer them to Whoppers but the difference isn't great, IMO.

[@Watch-0w1]

You have to admire his tough love. But I don't know if it's a good ethical one. You put your company before your children and you just traumatize them. I mean what's the point when your business then when you're 50. Isn't passing wealth to your children the idea?

[@sandran17]

I think he coulda not spoilt his kids without starving his wife and keeping them cold

[@MarztheStoic]

People had to have seen Frank as a failure. Regardless of all that he persevered. 5:19

[@jasonhaven7170]

2:50 That is literally many thousands of dollars today. He was rich.

[@archimedesxxicentury]

😢 The transport infrastructure Disaster in US. 😢🆘🆘🆘🆘🆘🆘🆘🆘🆘🆘🆘🆘🐝. Archimedes XXI century 😇.

[@pn4960]

Diabetes dealer

[@AMPProf]

NOPE IRRELIVANT

[@southparktownfolk]

wrong voice!

[@LUNTK]

Schlecht strukturiert, nicht zusammenhängende Bilder, schwer zu folgen, da zuviel Stock-Footage, keine gute Gliederung, wenig strukturiert, auf interessante Punkte nicht eingegangen + wichtige Bilder nicht lange genug gezeigt (_haben die sich das überhaupt angeschaut?_)

[@LUNTK]

Zu automatisiert, nicht sinnvoll strukturiert, man kann schwer folgen, keine gute Intonation, zuviel random-ass Bilder (leitet/führt/guided nicht durch)

[@JesusChristlovesyouverymuch]

Brothers and Sisters, God loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ for us to save us from our sins, and he bled and died on a cross for us to redeem us from death, and to gain life everlasting, for those who put their trust in him. And what's more, he has risen, and is willing to call you to repentance (correction) and as his witness, by his grace indeed. "For it is by grace you are saved, through faith". Jesus loves you, God cares for you! Therefore, repent and believe the gospel.

[@jppalm3944]

Went woke Gay M&Ms

[@dannysdailys]

Mars is also WOKE, No thanks.

[@montgomeryfitzpatrick473]

Your slide says he incorporated in 1911 and you say he set up shop during the great depression , which started in 1929. 18 year discrepancy

[@dkaoboy]

what happened to Frank's other children?

[@zaco-km3su]

Good question. They probably inherited some of the wealth but not too much.