Businessman. Inventor of M&M’s. The son of Mars candy company founder Franklin C. Mars, he left the family business after a dispute with his father and established his own company, Forrest Mars Food Manufacturers. He invented and patented a candy-coated chocolate in 1940 under a partnership with Bruce Murrie, son of a Hershey’s Chocolate executive, hence the name “M&M”,  which stands for “Mars & Murrie”. After his father’s death he took over Mars, Inc. and merged it with his own company, successfully running it until he retired in 1973. At the time of his death he was one of the richest people in the United States. M&M/Mars is still privately owned by the Mars family and is the largest chocolate and candy company in the world. (bio by: DaveVangsness)  Family links:  Parents:  Franklin Clarence Mars (1884 – 1934)  Ethel Veronica Healy Mars (1884 – 1945)  Spouse:  Audrey R. Mars (1910 – 1989)  Sibling:  Forrest Edward Mars (1904 – 1999)  Mary Patricia Mars Fleming (1914 – 1965)* *Calculated relationship