Bernard “Bernie” Marcus, co-founder of The Home Depot and a prominent philanthropist, passed away Monday night at the age of 95.
Born on May 12, 1929, in Newark, New Jersey, Marcus co-founded The Home Depot in 1978, revolutionizing the home improvement industry with its warehouse-style stores. He served as the company’s first CEO and chairman until his retirement in 2002. Beyond his business achievements, Marcus was known for his extensive philanthropic efforts, including significant contributions to medical research, veterans’ causes and the establishment of the Georgia Aquarium.
A longtime donor to the Republican National Committee, Marcus was also an early supporter of former—and possibly future—President Donald Trump.
Rest in Peace to my friend Bernie Marcus who passed away last night at 95. He was the living embodiment of the American Dream, starting Home Depot as a career change when he was nearly 50. I’m sad he won’t get to see how the story ends today, but I’m grateful for his love of this… pic.twitter.com/avSEimOYgR
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) November 5, 2024
Bernie Marcus was an extraordinary American. He was a great entrepreneur and Home Depot would not exist without his entrepreneurial genius. His creation of the aquarium in Atlanta was a wonderful act of citizenship. He will be deeply missed.
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) November 5, 2024
Bernie Marcus was a great Georgian and a true hero in the community. His generosity and legacy will never be forgotten.https://t.co/BJzTYrt3I8
— Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) November 5, 2024
In one of his final interviews in November 2023, Marcus spoke with FOX Business senior correspondent Charlie Gasparino in a wide-ranging discussion in which he criticized President Biden’s economic policies for exacerbating rising consumer prices.
“I never anticipated anything like what we’re going through,” Marcus said of the Biden administration and the president. “I wake up every morning and I say, ‘What is this dunce going to do today?’”
“He cut back drilling, he caused the inflation, the inflation caused every other problem for every businessman, for every American,” Marcus continued. “And the people he’s supposed to represent—the poor people, the middle class—are suffering today.”
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R.I.P. Mr. Bernie Marcus
I think that it was Bernie Marcus that said that he and Arthur could not start Home Depot today with all of the regulations in place by the government.