Bernie Marcus: Remembering the Home Depot Co-Founder

It’s being reported that Bernard “Bernie” Marcus, the visionary co-founder of The Home Depot, has passed away at the age of 95. A titan in the retail industry, Marcus not only helped grow Home Depot into the world’s largest home improvement chain but also left a lasting impact as a philanthropist and political donor.

Born in 1929 to Russian Jewish immigrants, Marcus had dreams of becoming a doctor but faced financial hurdles. Instead, he pursued a career in pharmacy after earning a degree from Rutgers University. His entrepreneurial spirit shone early on; he famously sold Amana freezers door-to-door while skipping classes. After climbing the corporate ladder at various companies, Marcus teamed up with Arthur Blank to launch The Home Depot in 1979 after being fired from Handy Dan.

The first Home Depot opened in Atlanta, and it wasn’t long before the company went public. Today, there are over 2,000 stores and more than 500,000 employees, with annual sales skyrocketing to nearly $153 billion in 2023. Home Depot credits much of its success to Marcus’s dedication to values and culture, creating a community-focused business model.

Beyond retail, Marcus was known for his generous philanthropy. He founded The Marcus Foundation, which supports Jewish causes, medical research, and children’s initiatives. Notably, he also played a key role in the development of the Georgia Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world.

An outspoken supporter of former President Donald Trump, Marcus made headlines with his substantial financial contributions to the Republican Party. His legacy, both in business and philanthropy, continues to inspire countless individuals. As Home Depot stated, “We owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude to Bernie.”