(AmericanProsperity.com) – American business titan, philanthropist and Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus has passed away at 95, leaving behind a huge legacy.
Marcus was born in 1929 to Russian Jewish immigrants in New Jersey and grew up in a Newark tenement.
Although he initially aspired to become a doctor, financial constraints forced him to pursue pharmacy.
However, Marcus’ true calling emerged in retail, where his passion for sales and customer service would ultimately revamp the home improvement industry.
After being fired from Handy Dan Improvement Centers Inc. in 1978, Marcus partnered with Arthur Blank and Ron Brill to found Home Depot.
This setback prompted the creation of a retail giant that would grow to over 2,300 stores, employ 500,000 people and become the world’s largest home-improvement retailer.
His estimated net worth of $6 to $7.4 billion reflects his personal achievement and the value he has created for countless employees, shareholders and customers.
Unlike many wealthy liberals who advocate for higher taxes while exploiting loopholes, Marcus believed in actively giving back to society.
He joined The Giving Pledge in 2010, committing to donate most of his wealth during his lifetime.
His philanthropic efforts focused on healthcare, including founding The Marcus Institute (now Marcus Autism Center) and partnering with the Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network for PTSD and brain injury treatment.
Marcus cemented his dedication to supporting the military by creating Project Share to help service members with brain or spinal injuries.
He also built the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, demonstrating his commitment to education and community development.
A staunch Republican and advocate for free-market capitalism, Marcus was a prominent donor to conservative causes and candidates, including Donald Trump, John McCain and Ron DeSantis.
He founded the Job Creators Network, a free-market advocacy group for small businesses, understanding that a thriving economy depends on supporting entrepreneurs and job creators.
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