The Amway co-founder who shaped American conservative politics and professional sports ownership
In short: Richard DeVos built a global multi-level marketing empire, but his influence extended far beyond business. From owning the Orlando Magic to funding the rise of the evangelical conservative movement, DeVos was a central figure in American life. His life story reveals the intersection of corporate success, philanthropy, and political activism.
Born in 1926 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Richard DeVos served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. In 1959, he and his school friend Jay Van Andel launched Amway. Utilizing a multi-level marketing model they had observed in a previous business, the pair transformed the company into an international distributor of diverse consumer goods. By 2012, Forbes estimated his personal wealth at $5.1 billion, ranking him among the wealthiest individuals in the United States and globally.
DeVos was a significant force in conservative politics, serving as finance chairman for the Republican National Committee and supporting figures like Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich. In the 1970s, he helped fund Third Century Publishers, an initiative aimed at organizing conservative evangelicals. His philanthropic efforts, managed through the foundation he established with his wife Helen in 1970, directed funds toward conservative think tanks like The Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute, as well as various educational and historic institutions.
Beyond politics, DeVos became a prominent figure in professional sports. He purchased the NBA's Orlando Magic in 1991 for $85 million. His ownership was marked by the controversial use of public funds for the construction of the Amway Center. He also held interests in several International Hockey League teams, including the Grand Rapids Griffins, which remain under the ownership of his son, Dan. DeVos died in 2018 at the age of 92, leaving behind a complex legacy that spans corporate, political, and cultural spheres.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Richard DeVos
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