MARS FAMILY
MARS INC.
THE MONEY: The Mars family owns candy, food and pet food giant Mars Inc. Founded in 1911 by Frank Mars, the privately held company, maker of M&M’s, Snickers and other well-known products, is said to have annual sales that approach $40B. Long one of the country’s wealthiest families.
THE FAMILY: Jacqueline Mars, a grandchild of Frank Mars, owns an estimated one-third of Mars, and Forbes pegs her wealth to be $37.8B. One of her three children, Alexandra Airth, is married to local business executive Alan Airth, who has deep ties to OC’s commercial real estate industry and has served as a member of Mars Inc.’s board.
LOCAL TIES: The Airth family has supported Harbor Day School, heading up the Corona del Mar private school’s fundraising campaign, which has brought in more than $50M. They are also supporters of the Orange County Museum of Art and Pretend City Children’s Museum.