Bernie Marcus, who co-founded retail giant Home Depot and later became a prominent philanthropist, passed away at age 95, the company announced.
Marcus, born to Russian-Jewish immigrants in Newark, New Jersey in 1929, transformed from a Rutgers-educated pharmacist into a pioneering retail entrepreneur. In 1978, at age 49, he partnered with Arthur Blank to establish Home Depot in Atlanta after both were dismissed from their previous home improvement company positions.
The venture proved extraordinarily successful. After going public in 1981 at $12 per share, Home Depot grew into a retail powerhouse now valued at approximately $392 billion, employing nearly 500,000 workers. Marcus served as CEO for about 20 years and remained board chairman until his retirement in 2002.
"The entire Home Depot family is deeply saddened by the death of our co-founder Bernie Marcus," the company stated, praising his vision as a merchant and commitment to employees, customers, and communities.
Arthur Blank remembered Marcus as a father figure and mentor, noting their nearly 60-year partnership. "I am honored to have been part of Bernie's remarkable life," Blank said.
Marcus used his estimated $11 billion fortune for wide-ranging philanthropic work through his foundation, supporting medical research, veterans' causes, Jewish organizations, and community projects. One notable contribution was $250 million toward building the Georgia Aquarium.
In recent years, Marcus remained politically active, emerging as a major Republican donor and Trump supporter. He endorsed Donald Trump's presidential campaigns in both 2016 and 2023, citing his business experience as motivation for his political stance.
Marcus leaves behind a lasting legacy as both a retail innovator and generous benefactor, having helped create one of America's most successful retail enterprises while supporting numerous charitable causes throughout his lifetime.
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