Lead image: The Home Depot Co-Founders Bernie Marcus (left) and Arthur Blank (right). Photo courtesy of The Arthur M. Blank Foundation on X.

The Home Depot shared Nov. 5 that the company’s Co-Founder, former CEO and Chairman Bernie Marcus died in Boca Raton, FL a day earlier at the age of 95.

After being let go from his role as Chairman and President of Handy Dan Improvement Centers in 1978, Marcus co-founded the do-it-yourself and contractors supplies retailer with Arthur Blank when Marcus was 49. 

With investment banker Ken Langone helping secure financing, the first Home Depot opened in Atlanta in 1979, and the company went public in 1981.

Marcus served as the company’s CEO as it grew rapidly over the next two decades and revolutionized the home improvement industry with its warehouse concept. He then served as its chairman until his retirement in 2002.

“We owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude to Bernie,” The Home Depot said in a statement. “He was a master merchant and a retail visionary. But even more importantly, he valued our associates, customers and communities above all. He’s left us with an invaluable legacy and the backbone of our company: our values and culture.”

Today, The Home Depot has more than 2,300 retail stores 760 branches across North America and over 465,000 employees. It achieved 2023 annual sales of $153 billion — doubling from a decade earlier.

Outside of his Home Depot career, Marcus became renowned for his philanthropic efforts, and for his support of former president Donald Trump in his 2016, 2020 and 2024 campaigns.

See The Home Depot’s tribute page to Marcus here, and video tribute below:

Statement by Arthur M. Blank on the passing of Bernie Marcus. pic.twitter.com/eMYxzkoosA

— Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation (@BlankFoundation) November 5, 2024