Richard DeVos
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| Richard DeVos, Sr. | |
| Born | March 4, 1926 Grand Rapids, MI, USA |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Dutch-American |
| Net worth | USD$ 3.567 billion |
| Known for | Amway founder, owner of NBA's Orlando Magic |
| Spouse(s) | Helen |
| Partner | Jay VanAndel (Deceased) |
| Children | Dick DeVos, Dan DeVos, Cheri DeVos VanderWeide, Doug DeVos |
Richard DeVos, Sr., (born March 4, 1926, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.) is an American billionaire and co-founder of Amway (restructured as Alticor in 2000). In 2006, Forbes magazine listed him as the 73rd wealthiest person in the United States with an estimate net worth of USD$ 3.5 billion. In 2007, Forbes ranked him as the 249th richest person in the world. [1] (at one point he was in the top 10 of wealthiest Americans).
DeVos is a heart transplant recipient and is the owner of the National Basketball Association's franchise basketball team, the Orlando Magic. DeVos, Sr., sat on the board of trustees of Northwood University and has sat as president on the Council for National Policy. He also currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the National Constitution Center[2] in Philadelphia, a museum dedicated to the United States Constitution.
Books written by him include Compassionate Capitalism and Hope From My Heart: Ten Lessons For Life. The latter reflects his feelings after successfully undergoing a heart transplant operation in 1997. This was preceded by two heart-bypass operations in 1983 and 1992. [3] In 1975, DeVos published a book about his success, co-authored with Charles Paul Conn, entitled Believe!.
Richard DeVos served his country in the military in World War II in the United States Army Air Corps.[4]
His son, Dick DeVos, was the Republican Party nominee for governor of Michigan in 2006, but was defeated by the incumbent governor, Jennifer Granholm.
[edit] References
- ^ Forbes Magazine website
- ^ National Constitution Center
- ^ Levin, Doron (October 8, 1997). "Fate, patience bring DeVos a new heart: Amway cofounder back after journey for life". Detroit Free Press.
- ^ The Possible Dream, by Charles Paul Conn, page 6
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Forbes page about Richard Devos
- Forbes World's Richest People
- Richard DeVos at NNDB
- Richard DeVos' campaign contributions
