The Amway Corporation traces its origins to 1959, when Jay Van Andel and Richard DeVos established the entity in the basements of their personal residences. This venture evolved from their earlier experience as distributors for Nutrilite dietary supplements, eventually growing into a massive multinational operation that utilizes a direct selling model to distribute home, health, and beauty products across global markets.
Early Life and Military Service
Born on June 3, 1924, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jay Van Andel was the son of James and Petronilla Van Andel. His family background was rooted in the Dutch immigrant experience, with his grandparents arriving in the United States in 1909. He attended Grand Rapids Christian High School and later enrolled at Calvin University and Pratt Business School in Kansas. During World War II, he served as a United States Army Air Force officer. Commissioned as a second lieutenant, he managed the training of flight crews for B-17 and B-29 bombers destined for the Japanese mainland.
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Van Andel first met Richard DeVos while attending high school. Their professional partnership began in 1949 with the distribution of dietary supplements. By 1958, the duo incorporated cleaning products, including Liquid Organic Cleaner, into their inventory. In 1959, they formalized the Amway Sales Corporation. Business operations moved to their first external office in 1960, utilizing a converted service station. The company expanded significantly over the following decades, developing a network involving millions of independent business owners.
Philanthropy and Institutional Legacy
In 1996, Van Andel and his wife, Betty Jean Hoekstra, established the Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids. The nonprofit organization prioritizes research into neurodegenerative conditions and cancer, alongside science education initiatives. His son, David Van Andel, assumed the roles of chairman and CEO at the institute. Van Andel was also active in the public sphere, serving as chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce between 1979 and 1980, and maintaining strong ties to the Republican Party.
Final Years and Recognitions
Throughout his career, Van Andel received various honors, including the 1981 Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement and the 1993 Edison Achievement Award. During his final year, he donated $2 million to the 527 committee Progress for America and $475,000 to the Michigan State Republican Party. Van Andel died on December 7, 2004, at the age of 80, in Ada Township. He is interred at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.
Fast facts
- Born: June 3, 1924, Grand Rapids
- Died: December 7, 2004, Ada Township
- Spouse: Betty Jean Hoekstra
- Military Service: United States Army Air Force
- Key Business: Amway Corporation
- Notable Role: Chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (1979-1980)
- Philanthropic Focus: Van Andel Institute
- Education: Calvin University, Pratt Business School
Questions readers ask
What was the purpose of the Van Andel Institute?
The institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Grand Rapids dedicated to disease research, particularly cancer and Parkinson's, and science education programs.
What was Jay Van Andel's military rank?
He served as a second lieutenant in the United States Army Air Force during World War II.
Achievements
- Educated at Calvin University
