Billionaire Home Depot Cofounder Bernard Marcus Dead at 95

Mar. 15, 2025

Bernard Marucs in a Home Depot store in October 1998.Photo:Erik Lesser/Liaison/Getty

Erik Lesser/Liaison/Getty

Bernard “Bernie” Marcus, cofounder of The Home Depot, has died at the age of 95.

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, the company confirmed Marcus’ death in atributeshared to their website.

The company refers to Marcus as “an inspiration in many ways,” as well as “a master merchant and a genius with customer service.”

“More than anything, he deeply believed in the company’s core values, particularly that of giving back,” the statement continues. “He never lost sight of his humble roots, using his success not for fame or fortune but to generously help others. In business and in charity, Bernie was unparalleled in generosity and goodwill.”

Bernard Marcus and Arthur Blank.Rob Kinmonth/Getty

Rob Kinmonth/Getty

Marcus co-founded the home improvement retail chain in 1978 with his former Handy Dan colleague Arthur Blank and investment banker Ken Langone. The first Home Depot stores later opened in 1979 in Atlanta, and the franchise eventually employed 500,000 associates, according to the company’s statement.

He served as CEO of The Home Depot until 1997 and was also the chairman of the company until he retired in 2002.

At the time of his death, Marcus had a net worth of $7.4 billion,CNNreports. He was an outspoken supporter of former President Donald Trump, as well as a major donor for the campaigns of Republican politicians, per the outlet.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Marcus — whose parents were Russian Jewish immigrants — was born in 1929 and grew up in Newark, N.J. He received his degree from Rutgers University after enrolling in pharmacy school, according to the company.

The Home Depot was born only after Marcus and Blank were fired from Handy Dan Improvement Centers, Inc. in April 1978.

“Bernie was faced with the prospect of reinventing himself at 49,” The Home Depot states. “He already had a vision of a one-stop shop for do-it-yourselfers, something that did not exist in the home improvement retail landscape at the time.”

source: people.com