Bernard “Bernie” Marcus, the co-founder of The Home Depot and a stalwart conservative philanthropist, passed away on Monday night at 95.

Rest in Peace to my friend Bernie Marcus who passed away last night at 95. He was the living embodiment of the American Dream, starting Home Depot as a career change when he was nearly 50. I’m sad he won’t get to see how the story ends today, but I’m grateful for his love of this… pic.twitter.com/avSEimOYgR

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) November 5, 2024

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Known for his monumental contributions to both the retail world and conservative political causes, Marcus left a lasting impact on American industry and public policy. His passing was confirmed by a family friend to Just the News on Tuesday morning.

Marcus, alongside Arthur Blank, founded The Home Depot in 1978.

Starting with a single store, the duo transformed it into a $400 billion powerhouse, giving American DIYers a place to tackle projects of all scales.

With over 2,300 locations today, The Home Depot not only reshaped the retail landscape but also became one of the nation’s top employers, renowned for its bold orange branding and customer-first culture.

As his business success grew, Marcus turned his attention and considerable wealth to philanthropy and advocacy. He funded significant initiatives, including an expansive aquarium in Atlanta, the city he adored.

However, he also wielded his influence in the conservative political arena. From his support of Trump in 2015 to his founding of the Job Creators Network, Marcus consistently backed causes championing small businesses and conservative values.

In the Republican political sphere, Marcus was a key ally. He backed Harmeet Dhillon, a former Trump campaign adviser, in her bid for the Republican National Committee (RNC) leadership. His advocacy extended to urging the RNC to focus its resources on promoting Trump, believing it would unify the party and prevent needless debates.

🚨🇺🇸HOME DEPOT COFOUNDER AND GOP MEGADONOR BERNARD MARCUS DIES AT 95

Bernard “Bernie” Marcus, cofounder of The Home Depot and prominent Republican donor, has passed away at 95.

Known for his support of Trump and his $7.4 billion fortune, Marcus helped build Home Depot into a… pic.twitter.com/0tyffXx0qO

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 5, 2024

When Nikki Haley withdrew from the 2024 presidential race, Marcus was quick to encourage the party to consolidate support behind Trump. His remarks emphasized the need for financial support to protect values like free-market capitalism, parental rights, and freedom of speech and religion.

Marcus’ influence stretched beyond business and politics; he was a staunch advocate for conservative causes, believing in the strength of American entrepreneurship and the power of small businesses to shape the economy.

His commitment to both his business legacy and conservative philanthropy ensures that his impact will be felt for generations to come.