A legacy of Innovation and Activism

Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus dies at 95

This billionaire and very prominent Republican donor died on the exact same day as the long-awaited US elections are taking place, after being a vocal Trump supporter. RIP Bernie Marcus.

The Home Depot (Photo: Shutterstock / Charles McClintock Wilson)

Bernie Marcus, the billionaire co-founder of The Home Depot who transformed American home improvement retail and later became a prominent Republican donor, died Tuesday at age 95, the company announced.

Marcus, along with Arthur Blank, founded The Home Depot in 1978, revolutionizing the hardware store concept with larger stores and better-trained staff. Under his leadership as CEO until 1997, the company grew into a retail giant that today boasts 2,300 stores and a market value of nearly $400 billion.

Marcus was born in 1929 to Russian Jewish immigrants in Newark, New Jersey.

Although he came from humble beginnings, he rose to amass a fortune estimated at $7.4 billion.

After earning a degree from Rutgers University, he had a fateful meeting with future partner Arthur Blank at Handy Dan Home Improvement. Their firing from that company sparked the creation of what would become The Home Depot.

He also emerged as a significant force in philanthropy and politics. In Atlanta, where Home Depot was founded, he and his wife Billi established the Marcus Autism Center at Emory University and donated $250 million to create the Georgia Aquarium. His charitable work extended to numerous Jewish and medical organizations.

During the last few years, Marcus gained additional prominence as a major Republican donor and vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump.

His political activism occasionally sparked controversy, including attempted boycotts of Home Depot in 2016 and 2019. He made headlines in 2022 for criticizing what he called the spread of "socialism" in America, telling the Financial Times that "nobody works" anymore.

"The entire Home Depot family is deeply saddened by the death of our co-founder," the company said. "He was a master merchant and retail visionary who valued our associates, customers and communities above all. He's left us with an invaluable legacy and the backbone of our company: our values."

CNN contributed to this article.

Death Home Depot Donald Trump Republicans American Jewry USA

Comments

Do not send comments that include inflammatory words, defamation and content that exceeds the limit of good taste.

The comment was sent successfully.
Soon the response will be examined by our editors and if it is found to be correct it will be published on the website.
The comment was sent successfully.
Soon the response will be examined by our editors and if it is found to be correct it will be published on the website.


Great news for Lakewood!

Apple Bank plants new roots in Lakewood
Gila Isaacson | 23.11.24

Trump shows unwavering support of Israel

Trumps appoints another pro-Israeli: Pam Bondi for attorney general. 
Avi Nachmani | 22.11.24

The Beijing-Tehran connection

US report highlights China's growing strategic ties with Iran
Avi Nachmani | 21.11.24

Canada hopes on the Anti-Israel bandwagon

Canada announced: It will comply with the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant
Eliana Fleming, JFeed Staff | 21.11.24

Breaking the Glass Ceiling

Jewish Jessica Tisch is NYPD's new commissioner 
Gila Isaacson | 21.11.24

Russia: This base is in our crosshairs

Russia fumes over new US base in Poland 
Gila Isaacson | 21.11.24

Biden, Israel, and the journey of the US President

In honor of his birthday: 10 things you didn't know about Joe Biden
Eliana Fleming, JFeed Staff | 20.11.24

Hostages left out of UN Security Council Ceasefire Resolution

US opposes UN security council's Gaza ceasefire proposal, calls for hostage release
Eliana Fleming, JFeed Staff | 20.11.24

The UN - United against Israel

UN Security Council set to vote on Gaza ceasefire
Avi Nachmani | 20.11.24