Bernie Marcus: Bernard “Bernie” Marcus, cofounder of The Home Depot and a major Republican donor, has passed away at age 95. Known for his role in transforming the home improvement industry, Marcus co-established The Home Depot in 1978 with Arthur Blank. What began as a visionary idea to revolutionize hardware retail became a national powerhouse, now with over 2,300 stores and valued at nearly $400 billion.

Marcus, whose net worth was estimated at $7.4 billion, started his career in retailing after graduating from Rutgers University with a degree in merchandising and marketing. His partnership with Blank began when they both worked at Handy Dan Home Improvement; after being let go, they created a new concept with larger stores and better-trained staff, launching The Home Depot in Atlanta. Marcus served as CEO until 1997, remaining chairman until his retirement in 2002.

Beyond business, Marcus was a noted philanthropist in Atlanta, founding the Marcus Autism Center and supporting causes such as Jewish organizations and the Georgia Aquarium, to which he contributed $250 million.

In the political realm, Marcus was known as a steadfast Republican supporter, donating millions to GOP candidates, including John McCain, Ron DeSantis, and former President Donald Trump. His views on capitalism, socialism, and “woke” culture became more vocal in recent years, sparking both support and controversy, particularly among Trump’s opponents.

Marcus’s legacy as a business titan and philanthropist remains integral to Atlanta and the broader retail sector.