The Mars family is an American family that owns the eponymous confectionery company Mars, Inc. In 1988, the family was ranked as the richest family in the United States of America by Fortune magazine. It has since been surpassed by the Walton family and the Koch family, and was ranked as the third richest family in America in 2016. Upon the death of Forrest Mars Sr., he and his two sons were ranked No. 29, 30, and 31 by Forbes magazine's list of richest Americans, and they each had a worth of approximately $4 billion. In March 2010 the three children of Forrest Mars were tied for 52nd place amongst the world's richest people, according to Forbes, with a net worth of each. One of these sons, Forrest Mars Jr., died in 2016, and his four daughters inherited his wealth, with three of them working for the company as of 2019. As of April 2020, the combined private fortune of the family members was estimated at around $126 billion, making them one of the richest families in the world. The family is very protective of their privacy. They rarely, if ever, give press interviews or, with the exception of Jacqueline Mars and Victoria B. Mars, are photographed in public. The Mars family was among 18 billionaire families who lobbied Congress to eliminate the estate tax. Family members Franklin Clarence Mars (September 24, 1883 – April 8, 1934) – founder of Mars, Inc. Invented the Milky Way bar. Ethel G. Kissack (September 29, 1882 – April 11, 1980) – first wife of Frank C. Mars (married 1902, divorced) Forrest Edward Mars Sr. (March 21, 1904 – July 1, 1999) – son of Frank C. Mars and Ethel G. Mars. Invented M&M's. Audrey Ruth Meyer (May 25, 1910 – June 15, 1989) – wife of Forrest E. Mars Sr. Forrest E. Mars Jr. (August 16, 1931 – July 26, 2016) – son of Forrest E. Mars Sr. Virginia Cretella (born 1929/1930) – first wife of Forrest E. Mars Jr. (divorced 1990) Victoria B. Mars – daughter of Forrest E. Mars Jr. and Virginia C. Mars Valerie Anne Mars – daughter of Forrest E. Mars Jr. and Virginia C. Mars, member of the Board of Directors of Conservation International Philip Michael White – husband of Valerie Anne Mars (married 1984) Pamela D. Mars-Wright (born Pamela Diane Mars, 1960/1961) daughter of Forrest E. Mars