Billionaire Republican mega-donor Bernard “Bernie” Marcus, a co-founder of Home Depot and longtime supporter of former President Donald Trump, has died on the morning of one of the most significant U.S. elections in recent history. The company confirmed his passing in a statement Tuesday, calling Marcus “an inspiration in many ways.”
“Bernie was an inspiration in many ways,” Home Depot said. “He never lost sight of his humble beginnings, using his success not for fame or fortune, but to generously help others.”
Born in 1929 in Newark, New Jersey, to Russian Jewish immigrant parents, Marcus co-founded Home Depot in 1979 alongside Arthur Blank. Under their leadership, the company grew into a retail powerhouse with over 2,300 stores nationwide and a market value approaching $400 billion. Marcus served as CEO until 1997 and remained chairman until his retirement in 2002.
Beyond his business success, Marcus became equally well-known for his outspoken political views and substantial financial contributions to conservative causes. A strong supporter of former President Donald Trump, he also backed other Republican figures, including Governor Ron DeSantis and the late Senator John McCain. Over the years, he made frequent appearances on conservative media outlets like Fox News, where he vocally expressed concerns about what he perceived as a shift toward socialism in America.
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In a 2022 interview with the Financial Times, Marcus criticized what he saw as a decline in American work ethic, lamenting that “nobody works” and accusing younger generations of being “lazy,” “fat,” and “stupid.” He also railed against what he called “the growing influence of woke culture,” claiming that “woke people have taken over the world.”
“We used to have free speech here. We don’t have it,” Marcus told reporters. “The woke people have taken over the world. You know, I imagine today they can’t attack me. I’m 93. Who gives a crap about Bernie Marcus?”
Throughout his life, Marcus was a polarizing figure. His political views and contributions to right-wing campaigns led some to call for boycotts of Home Depot, especially during the 2016 and 2019 elections, when Trump was running for president.
With a net worth estimated at $7.4 billion, Marcus leaves behind an enduring legacy, both in the retail industry and in American politics.
