Republican and Israel Advocate Bernie Marcus, Founder of Home Depot, Dies at 95

Bernie Marcus, the iconic entrepreneur who co-founded Home Depot and dedicated his life to transformative philanthropy, passed away at the age of 95 in Boca Raton, Florida. A steadfast advocate for Israel and a fervent supporter of Jewish causes, Marcus leaves behind a legacy that stretches far beyond his accomplishments in retail.

Born to immigrant parents in Newark, New Jersey in 1929, Marcus grew up with a deep awareness of his Jewish heritage and an appreciation for hard work. He dreamed of becoming a psychiatrist but found himself limited by financial constraints and societal discrimination, which eventually steered him toward a career in pharmacy and then retail. By 1978, at age 49, Marcus joined forces with Arthur Blank to launch Home Depot, a revolutionary concept that reshaped the American home improvement industry by providing everything from tools to lumber in one massive space. In less than two decades, Home Depot had grown into a household name, and Marcus transitioned to philanthropy, committed to giving back a significant portion of his wealth.

Over his lifetime, Marcus donated over $2 billion to various causes, with an estimated net worth of $11 billion largely allocated to the Marcus Foundation. His contributions supported both Jewish and non-Jewish initiatives, emphasizing health, community well-being, and education. A devoted Zionist, Marcus’s giving extended into Israel, where he founded the Israel Democracy Institute in Jerusalem to strengthen the country’s governance and democratic values. His $25 million contribution helped establish Israel’s National Blood Services Center, ensuring life-saving support for citizens across the nation.

Marcus was renowned for his unshakeable support for Israel, bolstered by a strong personal connection to his Jewish identity. “I’m proud of the fact that I’m Jewish,” he once said, noting that his philanthropy aimed to prevent a repeat of history’s darkest moments for Jewish people. While he refrained from involvement in Israel’s domestic politics, Marcus backed initiatives that promoted stability, healthcare, and governance reforms, which he felt were essential for Israel’s future.

In the United States, Marcus was known as a prominent conservative voice and one of Donald Trump’s strongest supporters. From 2016 through his final days, he remained a key backer, contributing millions to Trump’s campaign and other Republican causes, as well as to organizations like AIPAC’s United Democracy Project to bolster U.S.-Israel ties. Despite his conservative views, Marcus believed in fostering open dialogue and respect among Americans of all beliefs.

Marcus’s philanthropy in the U.S. spanned diverse fields, from healthcare to civic engagement. In Georgia, where Home Depot first opened, Marcus’s $250 million donation helped build the Georgia Aquarium, which has become a landmark of downtown Atlanta. Inspired by an employee’s challenges with a child diagnosed with autism, Marcus established the Marcus Autism Center, one of the country’s premier institutes for autism research and care. He was also a major donor to the Shepherd Center, a renowned facility specializing in spinal and brain injury rehabilitation, and contributed to the neuroscience institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital in Florida.

As a philanthropist, Marcus was exacting and methodical, treating his donations like investments and seeking clear results from the initiatives he supported. This approach often reflected his libertarian views, as he championed free markets and was vocal in his opposition to government overreach. Yet, his guiding principle was charity a value he felt he’d inherited from his mother, who taught him the importance of supporting Israel. Marcus remarked with pride that he encouraged a spirit of giving among Home Depot employees, joking that he had “turned them all into Jews” with their commitment to charity.

In his later years, Marcus grew increasingly concerned with the rising tide of anti-Semitism in the United States, particularly on college campuses. In a 2023 interview, he criticized Jewish donors who supported universities that, he felt, harbored anti-Israel bias. Marcus emphasized his commitment to thoughtful philanthropy, ensuring that his money funded initiatives aligned with his values.

Marcus’s passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy lives on through his family, his foundation, and his extraordinary record of generosity. His recent book, Kick Up Some Dust: Lessons on Thinking Big, Giving Back, and Doing It Yourself, was intended as a guide for his grandchildren, a way of sharing his philosophy on life, work, and giving.

Bernie Marcus’s life was a testament to the power of vision and conviction. In his philanthropy, he channeled his Jewish identity and entrepreneurial spirit to make a difference that will endure for generations. As we remember his contributions, may we also carry forward his example of generosity, commitment, and pride.

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