Forrest Edward Mars Biography

Forrest Edward Mars

The son of the man who invented the Milky Way candy bar, Forrest Mars left the country after a disagreement with his father. The younger Mars settled in Britain and created a business of manufacturing pet foods. He ventured into foods for humans during World War II when he returned to the U.S. and bought the Uncle Ben's rice concern. He encroached into his family's niche when he introduced M&Ms, and in 1964 merged with the family candy business, Mars, Inc. The resulting company, M&M/Mars, produced some of America's most popular candy bars, including Snickers. He retired a billionaire and left the business to his sons.