Mars, Forrest

Mars, Forrest (Edward)

(1904– ) candy manufacturer; birthplace unknown. After disagreeing with his father, who had invented the Milky Way bar, he went to Great Britain where he became a leading pet food manufacturer. Returning to the U.S.A. during World War II, he introduced M&M's and purchased the Uncle Ben's Rice Company. He merged with his father's business, Mars Inc., in 1964. During the 1970s he produced at least half of the country's leading candy bars, including the perennial favorite, Snickers. A secretive billionaire, he turned his business over to his sons when he retired.