The multi-level marketing enterprise Amway was established in 1959 by Richard DeVos and his associate Jay Van Andel to distribute cleaning supplies. This venture transformed into an international distributor of diverse consumer goods, eventually restructuring into Alticor in 2000. Through this expansion, DeVos became a significant figure in American commerce and a billionaire businessman.
Early Background and Military Service
Born in 1926 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to parents Ethel Ruth and Simon Cornelius DeVos, he was raised in a household involved in the electrical trade. His formal education took place at Grand Rapids Christian High School and Calvin University. During the second World War, he served in the United States Army Air Corps.
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DeVos entered the sports industry in 1991 by purchasing the Orlando Magic for $85 million. His involvement in sports included ownership of International Hockey League franchises, such as the Orlando Solar Bears, Kansas City Blades, and Grand Rapids Griffins. His efforts to secure public funds for the construction of the Orlando Magic's arena caused significant controversy, though the Amway Center naming rights remained a prominent association for a time.
Political Engagement and Philanthropy
A notable donor to the Republican Party, DeVos served as a finance chairman for the Republican National Committee. President Ronald Reagan appointed him to the President's Commission on the HIV Epidemic in 1987. Alongside his wife, Helen, he established the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation in 1970. This organization directed grants toward conservative think tanks, health care, the arts, and education, including centers at Grand Valley State University, Hope College, and his alma mater's school system.
Literary Works and Health Challenges
DeVos documented his life and business philosophy in several books, including Believe!, published in 1975 with Charles Paul Conn, and Compassionate Capitalism. Following two heart-bypass surgeries in 1983 and 1992, he underwent a successful heart transplant in the United Kingdom in 1997. He wrote about this experience in Hope From My Heart: Ten Lessons For Life, before releasing his memoirs, Simply Rich, in 2014.
Fast facts
- Born: 1926, Grand Rapids, United States
- Died: 2018, Ada Township, United States
- Co-founder: Amway (1959)
- NBA Team Owner: Orlando Magic (purchased 1991)
- Net Worth: $5.1 billion (2012 estimate)
- Education: Calvin University
- Military Service: United States Army Air Corps
- Award: Horatio Alger Award
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the 1997 heart transplant?
After being denied a transplant in the United States due to his age and diabetes, DeVos traveled to the United Kingdom for the procedure, which he later detailed in his book, Hope From My Heart.
What businesses did DeVos own beyond Amway?
He owned the Orlando Magic and several International Hockey League franchises, including the Orlando Solar Bears, the Kansas City Blades, and the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Achievements
- Educated at Calvin University and Grand Rapids Christian High School