You know the candy. You’ve definitely eaten a Milky Way or shoved a handful of M&Ms into your mouth during a movie. But you almost certainly don’t know John Mars.
He’s one of the wealthiest people on the planet. I’m talking top-tier, multi-billionaire status. Yet, he walks through airports and sits in coffee shops without a single person asking for an autograph. Honestly, that is exactly how he likes it. The Mars family is notoriously private—some call them "reclusive," but "disciplined" is probably a better word. They don’t do press releases about their personal lives. They don't do flashy galas. They just run a global empire that basically owns the checkout aisle.
Who is John Mars, really?
Born in 1935, John Franklyn Mars is the son of Forrest Mars Sr. and the grandson of Frank C. Mars, the man who started it all in a kitchen in Tacoma, Washington. If you’re looking for a rags-to-riches story, this isn't it in the traditional sense, but it’s a "wealth-to-power" story. John, along with his siblings Forrest Jr. and Jacqueline, inherited a company that was already successful and turned it into a gargantuan force of nature.
He graduated from Yale. He served in the Army. Then, he went to work.
There is this myth that heirs just sit back and collect checks. Not at Mars, Inc. The company culture, largely shaped by John and his father, is famously egalitarian but incredibly demanding. Did you know that for decades, there were no private offices at Mars headquarters? John Mars sat at a desk just like the junior analysts. No partitions. No mahogany-row ivory towers. If you wanted to talk to the boss, you just walked over. But you’d better have your data ready.
The Five Principles that built a candy kingdom
The thing about John Mars is that he doesn't just run a business; he follows a philosophy. The company is guided by "The Five Principles": Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom. It sounds like corporate speak, right? It isn't.
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Take "Mutuality." The idea is that a business deal is only good if everyone wins. If Mars squeezes a cocoa farmer until they go bust, Mars eventually loses its supply. John has been a fierce defender of this long-term thinking. Because the company is private, they don't have to answer to Wall Street every three months. They can plan for the next thirty years while public companies are sweating over the next thirty days.
Efficiency is another big one. There’s a legendary story that John and his brother used to keep track of every penny. Not because they were cheap—they were billionaires—but because waste was considered a moral failing.
It isn't just chocolate anymore
If you think John Mars is just the "M&M guy," you’re missing half the picture. Maybe more than half.
In recent decades, Mars, Inc. has pivoted aggressively into pet care. It was a genius move. They own Pedigree, Whiskas, and Royal Canin. But they didn't stop at the food. They bought Banfield Pet Hospitals. They bought VCA. They basically own the entire lifecycle of your dog or cat.
- They sell you the puppy kibble.
- They provide the vet who gives the rabies shot.
- They sell the specialized prescription diet when the dog gets older.
John was instrumental in this diversification. He realized that while people might cut back on candy during a recession, they will never stop feeding their "fur babies." It’s recession-proof. It’s brilliant.
Why the secrecy matters
People get weirded out by how quiet John Mars stays. The family has been called the "Kremlin of Candy."
But think about it from his perspective. If you have $50 billion, what does fame get you? Nothing but security risks and people asking for money. By staying out of the spotlight, John has been able to live a relatively normal life despite being wealthier than most small nations. He’s a Knight of the British Empire (honorary), yet he probably shops for his own groceries.
There’s a nuance here that most people miss: privacy equals freedom. Because the world doesn't know what he looks like, he can observe the world honestly. He can see how people actually interact with his products without the "CEO filter" getting in the way.
The complexity of the Mars legacy
It hasn't all been sugar-coated. The company has faced serious heat over the years. We’re talking about massive issues like child labor in the cocoa supply chain in West Africa.
Critics argue that for a family with that much wealth, change should happen faster. To his credit, under John's influence and the subsequent generation's leadership, Mars has been more transparent than many of its competitors. They’ve committed to "Sustainable in a Generation" plans, investing billions into fixing the supply chain. Is it perfect? No. Is it better than it was in the 90s? Absolutely.
John’s approach has always been: fix it quietly. Don't brag. Just do the work.
Comparing the "Candy Kings"
| Factor | John Mars / Mars Inc. | Hershey’s |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | 100% Private (Family) | Publicly traded (Trust owned) |
| Main Focus | Candy, Petcare, Food | Primarily Confectionery |
| Global Reach | Massive (180+ countries) | Stronger in North America |
| Public Profile | Almost non-existent | Very high / Iconic brand |
What we can learn from the John Mars way
You don't get to his level of success by accident. Even if you aren't running a multi-billion dollar conglomerate, there are "John Mars" traits that work in the real world.
First, frugality as a tool. Not being cheap, but being efficient. Every dollar wasted on ego is a dollar that isn't helping the product.
Second, anonymity is a superpower. In an era where everyone is trying to be an "influencer," there is massive value in just being the person who gets things done. You don't need a personal brand if your actual brand is in every pantry in America.
Third, diversify before you have to. John didn't wait for candy sales to slump before buying pet food companies and vet clinics. He saw the shift in human behavior—treating pets like family—and moved the entire ship in that direction years before it was obvious to everyone else.
The transition of power
John is in his 90s now. He has stepped back from the day-to-day grind, handing the reins to a professional management team and the next generation of Mars family members. But his fingerprints are everywhere. The culture of "the office with no walls" and the obsession with quality control? That’s all him.
He remains a figure of immense influence in the global economy, even if he’s just a "face in the crowd" to the average person.
Actionable insights from the Mars playbook
- Audit your "Principles": If you’re running a business or even a side hustle, write down your non-negotiables. Mars uses their Five Principles to make every single decision. If a deal doesn't fit the principles, they walk away. Do you have that kind of clarity?
- Invest in "Recession-Proof" niches: Look at your career or investments. Are you tied to "wants" (like luxury goods) or "needs" (like pet care or health)?
- Focus on Mutuality: Next time you negotiate, ask yourself: "Does the other person actually win here?" Long-term wealth is built on relationships where both sides thrive.
- Value your privacy: You don't have to share everything online. Keeping some things "private" isn't being secretive; it's maintaining your focus.
John Mars proves that you can be a titan of industry without being a celebrity. He’s the quiet architect of the modern snack world, and honestly, the world could use a few more leaders who talk less and build more.
Next Steps for You
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If you're interested in how private wealth shapes the world, research the "Mars Five Principles" document. It’s a surprisingly short read but offers a masterclass in corporate culture that survives for generations. You might also want to look into the "Sustainable in a Generation" report to see how they are currently tackling the cocoa supply chain crisis—it's a rare look behind the curtain of a very private empire.