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With an estimated net worth of $47.6 billion, 84-year-old Jacqueline Mars, who owns approximately one-third of the candy, food and pet care firm founded by her grandfather, made the top 20 on the list, not far ahead of another family member.
Jacqueline Mars, who worked for around 20 years and served on the company's board until 2016, was joined on the list by Pamela Mars, who has worked at her family's company for nearly four decades, and landed 77th on the prestigious list.
According to the report, the younger Mars has held various roles at the company since her first job there in 1986, and currently is the family ambassador to the Mars pet care division.
"Best known for candy including Milky Way, Dove and Skittles, Mars also makes Ben's Original rice and pet food brands Pedigree and Whiskas," researchers noted.
She also acquired the VCA hospital chain in 2017, and animal hospital chains AniCura and Linneaeus a year later.
The list that was headed by X owner Elon Musk ($244 billion), Amazon head Jeff Bezos ($197 billion), Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg ($181 billion), Larry Ellison ($175 billion), and Warren Buffet ($150 billion).
In Virginia, the Mars family was followed by:
- Billionaire heir Winifred J. Marquart, 65 ($4.7 billion);
- Co-founder and Chairman Emeritus of Carlyle Daniel D'Aniello, 78 ($4.3 billion);
- Entrepreneur and businessman Michael Saylor, 59 ($3.9 billion);
- Carlyle co-CEO William Conway, Jr., 75 ($3.8 billion).
According to Forbes, the top 400 richest people in America are worth a record-setting $5.4 trillion, up nearly a full trillion dollars from last year, and the list includes a dozen boasting 12-figure fortunes.
There were nearly two dozen newcomers who made their way into the ranking, which was highlighted by the usual suspects.
"Admission to this elite club is pricier than ever: A minimum net worth of $3.3 billion is required, up $400 million since 2023," researchers noted.
"(They have) grown their fortunes in everything from mundane plastic pipes to cutting-edge artificial intelligence."
All of their estimated net worths were as of Sept. 1.
The complete list from Forbes can be found here.
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