Acquired · Monday, September 14, 2026
In the early stages of Home Depot's formation, Ross Perot was close to investing $2 million for a 70% stake in the company. However, a dispute over Bernie Marcus's company car, an old Cadillac, led to the deal's collapse, costing Perot an estimated $223 billion in potential future gains.
“Yeah, 70% of Home Depot, because Ken flies everybody to Dallas. They meet with Ross, and they hammer out a deal for Perot to put up the money for what would become Home Depot-”
“Except at the last minute, Bernie blows up the deal. He and Ross get into this big fight over management style and management philosophy.”
“And ultimately the sticking point—you can't make this up, it's all in Built from Scratch—is the car that Bernie drives. He drives an old Cadillac.”
“So Ross Perot insisting on a Cadillac cost him $223 billion—”