Victoria Mars

$11.44 B

Ranked #257 in World

About Victoria Mars

Victoria B. Mars, the American billionaire heiress of the Mars family, holds a considerable 8% stake in Mars, Incorporated, valued at $5.9 billion as of 2018. A Yale and Wharton School alumna, she has maintained a prominent career in high-ranking positions within her family's business, including Chairman of the company. Active in philanthropy, Mars has contributed to diverse causes and currently chairs the Salzburg Global Seminar. Born into a legacy, she continues to shape sustainable business practices and supports conservation efforts.

Born

December 15, 1956

Age

69 years

Source Of Wealth

Candy, Pet Food

Industries

Food & Beverage

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Education

Master of Business Administration, University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School; Bachelor of Arts/Science, Yale University

Spouse

David Spina

Children

Parent

Forrest Mars Jr. and Virginia Cretella

Victoria B. Mars was born in 1956 or 1957, making her either 66 or 67 years old as of 2023. She is an American billionaire heiress and businesswoman who currently serves as the Chair of the Salzburg Global Seminar.

Victoria Mars: Family

Victoria B. Mars comes from a prominent American family. She is the fourth-generation member of the Mars family, known for their successful confectionery business, Mars, Incorporated. Her father is Forrest Mars Jr., and her mother is Virginia Cretella. She has three sisters: Marijke Mars, Pamela Diane Mars, and Valerie Mars.

Victoria's paternal great-grandfather, Franklin Clarence Mars, founded Mars, Incorporated, while her paternal great-grandmother, Ethel V. Mars, was a horsebreeder at Milky Way Farm.

Victoria Mars: Career Highlights

Victoria B. Mars began her career at Mars, Incorporated in 1978, working in Haguenau, France. She served as the Assistant Brand Manager for Milky Way and later became the Export Manager.

In 1984, she was appointed as the Director of the Marine Systems Division of Mars Electronics International. Two years later, she became the Vice President of S&F, Commercial, and People and Organization for Dove in Burr Ridge, Illinois.

In 1997, Victoria was appointed as the Ombudsman at Mars, Incorporated, a role that involved addressing employee concerns and issues within the company.

In 2006, she joined the board of directors of Mars, Incorporated, and in 2014, she was appointed as the Chairman of Mars, Incorporated, succeeding Stephen M. Badger.

Throughout her career, Victoria has been actively involved in various industry events and initiatives. She was a keynote speaker at the 2014 annual conference organized by Great Place to Work and attended a meeting in 2015 to launch the Livelihoods Funds, promoting sustainable development in African agribusiness.

Victoria Mars: Companies

Victoria B. Mars has been associated with the following companies throughout her career:

Mars, Incorporated
Mars Electronics International
Dove
Salzburg Global Seminar

Victoria Mars: Major Achievements

Victoria B.

Mars has achieved significant milestones in her career, including:

Becoming the first female Chairman of Mars, Incorporated, a privately held company with over $35 billion in annual revenue.
Leading Mars, Incorporated's efforts in promoting sustainability and responsible business practices.
Actively participating in industry events and initiatives, such as the Great Place to Work conference and the Livelihoods Funds launch.

Victoria Mars: Awards & Achievements

Victoria B. Mars has received recognition for her contributions to the business world and philanthropy. Some of her notable awards and achievements include:

Named one of the "50 Most Powerful Women in Business" by Fortune magazine in 2014.
Recognized as one of the "Top 100 Most Influential Women in the World" by Forbes magazine in 2015.
Awarded the "Lifetime Achievement Award" by the National Confectioners Association in 2016.

Victoria Mars: Personal Life & Legacy

Victoria B. Mars is married to David Spina, and they have two children together. She also has two children from her first marriage. She is known for her philanthropic efforts and has made significant contributions to various organizations, including the Charles Darwin Foundation, Galapagos Conservancy, Mystic Seaport, High Mountain Institute, and Thorncroft Equestrian Center.

Victoria Mars: Trivia

Victoria B. Mars is an avid equestrian and has competed in several equestrian events.
She is a graduate of the Foxcroft School, where she was a member of the riding team.
Victoria is a supporter of various environmental and conservation organizations.

Wealth History

Timeline

1956/1957

Victoria B. Mars was born.

1974

Victoria B. Mars graduated from Foxcroft School in Middleburg, Virginia.

1978

Victoria B. Mars started working for Mars, Incorporated in Haguenau, France.

1984

Victoria B. Mars earned an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and became the Director of the Marine Systems Division of Mars Electronics International.

1986

Victoria B. Mars became the Vice President of S&F, Commercial, and People and Organization for Dove in Burr Ridge, Illinois.

1997

Victoria B. Mars was appointed Ombudsman at Mars, Incorporated.

2006

Victoria B. Mars joined the board of directors of Mars, Incorporated.

2014

Victoria B. Mars was appointed as Chairman of Mars, Incorporated, replacing Stephen M. Badger and gave a keynote speech at the annual conference organized by Great Place to Work.

2015

Victoria B. Mars attended a meeting to launch the Livelihoods Funds, promoting sustainable development in African agribusiness.

2016

Victoria B. Mars inherited about 8% stake of Mars Inc., making her a billionaire.

March 2018

Victoria B. Mars' shares were valued at $5.9 billion according to Forbes.

Victoria Mars : FAQs

What is Victoria Mars's current net worth?

Victoria Mars's current net worth is $11.44 billion.

What is Victoria Mars's current global rank among billionaires?

Victoria Mars holds the 257th position globally among billionaires.

What is Victoria Mars's current ranking within the United States?

Victoria Mars holds the 103rd position in United States.

What was the change in Victoria Mars's net worth compared to the previous year?

Victoria Mars's net worth increased by 1.35 billion dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when her net worth was 10.09 billion dollars.

What are Victoria Mars's main sources of wealth?

Victoria Mars's main source of income comes from Candy, Pet Food.

In which industry does Victoria Mars primarily operate?

Victoria Mars is primarily involved in the Food & Beverage industry.

What is Victoria Mars educational background?

Victoria Mars holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Pennsylvania from The Wharton School and a Bachelor of Arts/Science from Yale University.

How old is Victoria Mars?

Victoria Mars is 69 years old.

How many children does Victoria Mars have?

Victoria Mars has 4 children.

Who is Victoria B. Mars and what is her current position?

Victoria B. Mars is an American billionaire heiress and businesswoman who currently serves as the Chair of the Salzburg Global Seminar.

Can you outline Victoria B. Mars's family history and connection to Mars, Incorporated?

Victoria B. Mars is a fourth-generation member of the Mars family, the daughter of Forrest Mars Jr., and Virginia Cretella Mars. Her paternal great-grandparents are Franklin Clarence Mars, the founder of Mars, Incorporated, and Ethel V. Mars, a horsebreeder at Milky Way Farm.

What is the extent of Victoria B. Mars's involvement in Mars, Incorporated and her career achievements?

Victoria B. Mars began working for Mars, Incorporated in 1978, held various management positions, served as an Ombudsman, joined the board of directors in 2006, and was appointed as Chairman in 2014. She was also a keynote speaker at the 2014 Great Place to Work conference and attended the Livelihoods Funds meeting in 2015.

How does Victoria B. Mars engage in philanthropy and what is known about her personal life?

Victoria B. Mars has served on boards such as the Foxcroft School and The Center for Large Landscape Conservation and made donations to charities like the Charles Darwin Foundation. She is a mother of four children, with two from her first marriage and two from her current marriage to David Spina.