Christel DeHaan
Christel DeHaan | |
|---|---|
| File:Christel-DeHaan.jpg | |
| Born | Christel Stark October 20, 1942 Nördlingen, Germany |
| Died | June 6, 2020 (aged 77) Indianapolis, Indiana, US |
| Occupation(s) | Founder, Christel House International |
| Known for | Co-founder and former owner, Resort Condominiums International |
| Spouse |
Jon DeHaan
(m. 1973; div. 1987) |
| Children | 3 |
Christel DeHaan (née Stark, October 20, 1942 – June 6, 2020) was a German-born American businesswoman and philanthropist who was the owner of Resort Condominiums International and the founder of Christel House International.
Early life
DeHaan was born in 1942 in Nördlingen, Germany,[2] the daughter of Adolf Stark, a German soldier who died shortly before the end of World War II, and his wife Anna Stark.[3] Her stepfather, Wilhelm Riedel died when she was 16.[3] At the age of 16, she moved to the United Kingdom to become a nanny.[2] Aged 20, she emigrated to the United States, settling in Indiana.[2]
Career
In 1974, DeHaan co-founded the pioneering timeshare company Resort Condominiums International, with her then-husband Jon DeHaan. In 1979, he had a heart attack, and she took over the running of the company. In 1987, they divorced; she was awarded half the company and bought the rest for $67.5 million.[1]
In 1995, she sold RCI for $825 million.[1][2]
Philanthropy
DeHaan founded and donated $220 million to the Christel House International.[1]
Personal life
In 1972, she married Jon DeHaan (b. 1940).[2] She had three children and lived in Indianapolis, Indiana, US.[1] She died on June 6, 2020, at her home.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Forbes profile: Christel DeHaan". Forbes. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Hawn, Carleen (November 16, 1998). "Yearning for Love". Forbes. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
- ^ a b Michael S. Maurer (January 7, 2009). 19 Stars of Indiana: Exceptional Hoosier Women. Indiana University Press. pp. 14–25. ISBN 0-253-00270-2. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
- ^ "Philanthropist, community leader Christel DeHaan dies at 77". WTTV CBS4Indy. June 6, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
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