Richard DeVos is an American businessman best known around the world as the co-founder of Amway. The renowned multi-level marketing chain that operates in tandem with direct selling is a contentious business strategy in and of itself, highlighting Richard’s risk-taking and innovative business acumen. He also owns the “Orlando Magic” basketball team, has written a book, and is involved in several philanthropic activities.
Quick Facts
| Celebrated Name: | Richard DeVos |
|---|---|
| Real Name/Full Name: | Richard Marvin DeVos Sr. |
| Gender: | Male |
| Age at the time of death: | 92 years old |
| Birth Date: | 4 March 1926 |
| Date of Death: | 6 September 2018 |
| Birth Place: | Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Height: | 1.7 m |
| Weight: | 75 kg |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Wife/Spouse (Name): | Helen DeVos (m. 1953–2017) |
| Children: | Yes (Dick DeVos, Doug DeVos, Dan DeVos, Cheri DeVos-Vanderweide) |
| Profession: | Businessman |
| Net Worth in 2023: | $6 billion |
Richard DeVos Biography
Richard DeVos was born in 1926 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His parents, Simon Cornellius DeVos, who owned a small electrical business, and Ethel Ruth Dekker, named him Richard Marvin DeVos at birth. Richard continued his education at Calvin College. He began his career in the United States Army Air Corps. which he served in during World War II
Richard DeVos Age, Height, Weight
Richard DeVos died at the age of 92. He stood 1.7 meters tall and weighed 75 kilograms.
Career
Amway was founded by Richard DeVos and Jay Van Andel. In the year 2000, the company was restructured as Alticor. Richard has also written several books, including “Compassionate Capitalism” and “Hope From My Heart: Ten Life Lessons.” The latter book was written in response to his bypass surgery. He and Charles Paul Conn co-wrote the book “Believe!” about their success.
In 2014, he released his memoir, oddly titled “Simply Rich.” He has served on the boards of several academic institutions, including Northwood University’s Centre for National Policy and the Constitution Centre of Philadelphia, which is a sort of museum dedicated to the United States of America’s constitution. He was also a member of the Christian Leaders Institute’s Board of Directors.
This organization provides free Ministry training to bright young people. He has also invested in a number of non-profit organizations, including Free Market Think Tanks and the Heritage Foundation. He has contributed to causes such as health and education, among others. With his keen interest in sports, Richard was instrumental in the establishment of the University of Central Florida’s sports management program. The Richard and Helen Devos Foundation provided funding for this course.
Over the course of his career, Richard Devos became increasingly involved in the country’s political processes, at least financially, if not otherwise. He is a major supporter of the Republic Party and a variety of conservative causes, including Focus on the Family and the American Enterprise Institute. He also became friends with Gerald and Betty Ford. He is well-known for owning teams in the NBA, the International Hockey League, and the American Hockey League.
Richard Devos’s Achievements and Awards
The William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership has been awarded to Richard DeVos. He currently serves as an honorary trustee for the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. According to Forbes, Richard DeVos is the 60th richest American and the 125th richest person in the world in 2012. However, he was previously ranked as the 10th richest person in America.
Richard DeVos’s Net Worth
Richard Devos was worth a whopping $6 billion, thanks to his ever-expanding business empire. Richard DeVos has focused on one key business and thrived in it. He has had other philanthropic ventures on the side, all of which have established his reputation as a very enterprising and socially active man.
Richard Devos’s Wife, Marriage
Richard DeVos was married to the late Mrs. Helen June Devos until 2017 when she passed away. The couple had four children, all of whom have achieved success in their respective fields. Dan, his son, is the proprietor of the “Griffins.” Richard Jr. was the Republican nominee for Governor of Michigan and is currently married to Betsy DeVos, the United States Secretary of Education.
