FORREST MARS: DOESN’T MELT YOUR HEART
Forrest Mars was born into the candy business. His father invented the Milky Way bar in 1920. But when his dad wasn’t interested in expanding the family company, Forrest struck out on his own.
“I told my father to stick his business up his ass,” Forrest recalled in a rare interview with Forbes. “I wanted to conquer the whole goddamned world.”
In 1941, Forrest did just that when he invented M&Ms as a quick and ready snack for WWII GIs. Success with Snickers and Three Musketeers followed–along with dog food! That’s right: The same people who make Kudos and Skittles also make Kal Kan and Pedigree! What’s more, while taste-testing candy may be a coveted job, insiders say Forrest would force employees to taste-test dog food!
More reclusive than Willy Wonka (he only gave two interviews between 1930 and his death in 1999), Forrest was also considered a tyrannical boss, browbeating and spying on employees through one-way mirrors. He died a “reclusive billionaire.” The company continues to be run by his sons. PB