U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos speaks as Mark Brown, chief . "[188] In the series' fourteenth season, drag queen Jasmine Kennedie appeared as DeVos for the show's signature celebrity impersonation challenge, Snatch Game. [24] He was a dedicated opponent of same-sex marriage. DP Fox and RDV are all in the same Grand Rapids, Mich., building as Sterling Fox, the entity that owns the Superior Street site. [67] Several media outlets reported that DeVos appeared to have plagiarized quotes from an Obama administration official in written answers submitted to the Senate committee. Over the years Amway and its parent company, Alticor, have showered them with an estimated $4 billion in pretax profits, which they have funneled into dozens of other business ventures and expensive toys, overseen by two family offices. [26] It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. "Survivors, victims of a lack of due process, and campus administrators have all told me that the current approach does a disservice to everyone involved," said DeVos. Had his confirmation vote been earlier than hers, he would have been forced to resign from the Senate, therefore losing a vital vote for the Republicans on the confirmation. "There are aviators all over this community," Dick DeVos told a reporter. [92], In mid-May 2018, The New York Times reported that under DeVos, the size of the team investigating abuses and fraud by for-profit colleges was reduced from about twelve members under the Obama administration to three, with their task also being scaled back to "processing student loan forgiveness applications and looking at smaller compliance cases". Granholm was quoted as saying she "admired his tenacity and his passion for Michigan". [157] The DeVoses' gift, part of which would be spent on arts groups in Michigan that had been hit hard by the recession, was the largest private donation in the Kennedy Center's history. Given Amways profitability and her own likely inheritance, thats a reasonable, and perhaps conservative, estimateeven after factoring in the DeVos familys exorbitant political spending (which has been roughly estimated at $200 million) and generous charitable giving (more than $1.6 billion, according to the family spokesperson). "Granholm went for the jugular talking about an investment he had in a nursing home," and "DeVos's lackluster response opened the door that led to his eventual loss." [35][36] In 2004, the Lansing State Journal described DeVos as "a political pit bull for most of (Democratic) Governor [Jennifer] Granholm's 16 months in office," and said that if DeVos was not Granholm's "worst nightmare," she was "certainly her most persistent". [40] During the Bush Administration she spent two years as the finance chairperson for the National Republican Senatorial Committee and worked closely with the Administration on "various projects". [10], DeVos was the owner of the NBA team Orlando Magic, having bought the team in 1991 for $85 million. Obituary for Richard Lee DeVos Richard Lee DeVos was born November 29, 1934 in Marion County, Iowa the eighth child of Jess and Cleta (Noftsger) DeVos. The DeVos family is one of Michigan's wealthiest. They met in Grand Rapids, married, and eventually grew their family to include four children: Dick, Dan, Cheri, and Doug. [15], He sat on the board of trustees of Northwood University and has been president of the Council for National Policy. Regarding the withdrawal of the department's team, former Education Secretary Arne Duncan said, "That's a waste of taxpayer money. He served in the military in World War II in the United States Army Air Corps. Family spokesman Nick Wasmiller says DeVos died at his Ada, Michigan, home due to complications from an infection. While popular with the American public[44] as a way to prevent (perceived) unfair domination by the wealthy in politics, DeVos and many other conservatives argue it is an infringement on free speech. It called for action on four fronts: "creating an attractive job climate, overhauling state government, diversifying the economy, and conquering the international marketplace." [65][66] On January 17, 2017, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions held the hearing, which lasted three-and-one-half hours and "quickly became a heated and partisan debate". "If the lawmakers later found themselves facing recalls or tough re-election fights, Mr. DeVos told them, he would be there to help. [1][2][3] In 2012, Forbes magazine listed his father as the No. "It's this kind of planning, a continual reinvention with clear goals," wrote a CNN journalist, "that has been lacking in Detroit. Criticizing Granholm's economic policies, he said that in her place "I would have sent a very different signal to the entire regulatory infrastructure of the state, and would have taken steps to make this state more business friendly." On October 21, 2005, it was announced that DeVos would become part owner as his father split ownership evenly between his children. At the end of the usual routes, young Rich had the chance to peddle the leftover vegetables. ", In answer to the question of why it was a charter school, DeVos explained that "Charter schools are available to everyone. A charter school is a public school and therefore there's no tuition. [168] DeVos and her husband gave millions of dollars to the organization. [24], He died at his home in Ada, Michigan on September 6, 2018, at the age of 92.[9][33]. A history of entrepreneurship. [153][154], DeVos has served as chairperson, board member, and treasurer of the Acton Institute and headed the All Children Matter PAC. Furthermore, we expect the Republican Party to use the money to promote these policies and, yes, to win elections. During the Great Depression, he sold freshly farmed vegetables door to door in Grand Rapids, Michigan. "By casting off the practice of forced unionization; Michigan now publicly declares to other states and in fact the world, that we embrace freedom for our workers, true equality in the workplace and that we are ready to compete with anyone, anywhere to create economic opportunity for our Michigan families." [18] Later on February 1, 2017, two Republican U.S. senators, Susan Collins from Maine and Lisa Murkowski from Alaska, came out against the confirmation (despite supporting DeVos in committee when both of them voted to move her nomination to the floor),[79] bringing the predicted confirmation vote on DeVos to 5050 if all Democrats and independents voted as expected, meaning Vice President Mike Pence would have to break the tie. Job-killing taxes like the SBT (Single Business Tax) punish job makers for creating jobs, providing their employees with benefits, and investing in new technology. [118], In a January 2018 speech, Devos said that the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) found that "60 percent of its teachers reported having moderate to no influence over the content and skills taught in their own classrooms." This is the fifth in a series that explores the personal fortunes of President Trumps cabinet officials. Apart from this, she is known for being a social activist and supporting the Republican Party along with her husband. Born In: Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, place of death: Ada Township, Michigan, United States, See the events in life of Richard M. DeVos in Chronological Order. [172][173], Her other activities on behalf of public-school reform have included membership on the boards of directors of the Advocates for School Choice, the American Education Reform Council, and the Education Freedom Fund. [62], DeVos served as chairwoman of the board of Alliance for School Choice. [121], In late May 2018, Devos said that she believed it was "a school decision" on whether to report a student's family to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if the student or their family are undocumented immigrants. I want young people to experience something that might broaden their world."[38]. [99] On May 22, 2017, DeVos announced the Trump administration was offering "the most ambitious expansion" of school choice within American history. After conducting "a feasibility and economic-impact analysis," DeVos worked with two local bankers to set the plan in motion. [104], On July 6, 2017, Democratic attorneys-general in 18 states and Washington, D.C., led by Massachusetts attorney-general Maura Healey, filed a federal lawsuit against DeVos for suspending the implementation of rules that were meant to protect students attending for-profit colleges. January 31, 2023. She, her husband and their four adult children are worth an estimated $2 billionmostly in Amway stock. [107], During the coronavirus pandemic, DeVos directed millions of dollars of coronavirus relief funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act intended for public schools and colleges, to private and religious schools. [91], In April 2017, DeVos named Candice Jackson Deputy Assistant Secretary in the department's Office for Civil Rights, where she will be acting assistant secretary while that higher, Senate-confirmed appointment is vacant. He along with his wife, created a foundation for philanthropic causes and they donated heavily to the US Republican partys conservative causes as well. "[45][26] She also stated in the op-ed, "We expect to foster a conservative governing philosophy consisting of limited government and respect for traditional American virtues We expect a return on our investment; we expect a good and honest government. "[4], In a talk given in Washington, D.C., in January 2013, under the auspices of the Heritage Foundation, DeVos discussed the passage of so-called "Right to Work" legislation in Michigan. [175], DeVos was chair of the American Federation for Children (AFC). Guest answered yes, calling DeVos "a business and political specialist experienced far beyond his 35 years on this globe" and noting that he had "recently attracted more than a million votes, more than any other Republican on a statewide basis, to win a seat on Michigan's Board of Education." It is one of five non-profit organizations established and operated by the DeVos family; the others, all founded by siblings of Richard DeVos Jr., include the Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation; the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Foundation; Cheri DeVos' CDV5 Foundation; and the Douglas and Maria DeVos Foundation. Richard DeVos parents were poor immigrants from the Netherlands. This article is about Richard DeVos Sr. For his son Richard DeVos Jr., see, The Possible Dream, by Charles Paul Conn, page 6, President's Commission on the HIV Epidemic, Christian Reformed Church in North America, "DeVos gift to Grand Rapids Christian Schools relieves debt, puts schools on 'very stable financial ground', "Orlando Magic senior chairman Rich DeVos passes away at 92", "Magic, DeVos family plan to buy Orlando Solar Bears", "Nothing but the best for new arena: Look what your taxes helped buy", "National Constitution Center, Board of Trustees", "The Ultra-Rich, Ultra-Conservative DeVos Family", "Michigan Effort Shows G.O.P. [165] According to The New York Times, it "is hard to find anyone more passionate about the idea of steering public dollars away from traditional public schools than Betsy DeVos". Given that his parents have both passed away and the DeVos family continues to own half of the business, it seems reasonable to assume that Betsy, her husband and their kids now control one quarter of the familys stake, or about 12% of Amway. [83][84][85] [17], DeVos is chairwoman of the Windquest Group, a privately held operating group that invests in technology, manufacturing, and clean energy. [5] Donations [ edit] "[7], When the DeVos family acquired the National Basketball Association's Orlando Magic basketball franchise in 1991, DeVos's father, Richard DeVos became president and CEO of the team. They bought Gurwitch Products, a cosmetics and skincare manufacturer & marketer from Neiman Marcus in 2006 and owned it till 2016. In 1984, he became one of Amway's vice presidents, with overall responsibility for the company's operations in 18 countries. [146] Organizations funded by the foundation include: Michigan's Foundation for Traditional Values; Center for Individual Rights; Acton Institute; Institute for Justice; Center for Individual Rights; Michigan's Pregnancy Resource Center; Right to Life Michigan Educational Fund; and Baptists for Life. "Since collective bargaining is a federally protected right, Proposal 2 is really about special interests. When Nutrilite went belly up, they decided to apply the same direct sales technique to their own venture. Add it all up and Betsy and her husbands slice of the family fortune totals about $2 billion, though its hard to tell how much, if any, of that wealth has already been transferred to their four children and eight grandchildren. An error has occured while loading the map. "[43], DeVos and his wife contributed money to help fund a $500,000, 18-month private study of Lake Macatawa pollution sources, according to a June 2011 article. Plans were made "for an entertainment and sports arena and the expansion of local convention facilities." He served in the military in World War II in the United States Army Air Corps.[6]. They are also major private equity investors through their own Ottawa Avenue Private Capital and as investors in others funds, including billionaire Robert Smiths Vista Equity Partners and AEA Investors, a firm partly founded by the Rockefeller and Mellon families. If a particular business approach is not economically viable it will not be sustainable." DeVos was born Elisabeth Prince on January 8, 1958. He was born on March 4, 1926 inGrand Rapids, Michigan. Four ways to get Michael Jordan's mansion sold at last, Sponsored Content: Tech firm helps Chicago businesses create new markets, Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown resigns, The Most Powerful Women In Chicago Business. [17] On January 31, following strong opposition to the nomination from Democrats, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions approved her nomination on a party-line vote, sending her nomination to the Senate floor. Marshals Service, "2 Education Dept. "Threats to water quality are threats to public health and safety, and the people of Holland cannot afford to wait until 2017 for action. [93], In October 2018, it was announced that DeVos's chief of staff, Josh Venable, would be replaced by Nate Bailey, who at that time was DeVos's chief of communications. DeVos has received honorary doctorates from Grove City College, Central Michigan University and Northwood University, as well as distinguished alumni recognition from Northwood University. Apart from being a successful entrepreneur, he has authored a total of three books: Compassionate Capitalism, Hope from My Heart: Ten Lessons for Life and Believe! [60][61] Rebecca Mead of The New Yorker questioned the efficacy of Michigan's charter school system, which DeVos has supported. Dick was born on 21 October, 1955. Dan DeVos, chairman of the Orlando Magic NBA franchise and vice chairman of RDV, the family's investment wing, also heads his own firm, DP Fox Ventures. Douglas N. Harris, professor of economics at Tulane University, wrote in a 2016 The New York Times op-ed that DeVos was partly responsible for "what even charter advocates acknowledge is the biggest school reform disaster in the country". Richard worked on his family's farm from a young age. Asked what she could do about that, she said, "Whatever can be done will be done, and it will be done swiftly and surely. RICHARD DEVOS OBITUARY age 88, of Bay Village, OH passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 14, 2021. In a 20-month span, Alticor cut over 1,300 jobs (primarily in Michigan) during this restructuring, with 400 of them being buyouts and early retirement. Not for nothing was the company named Amway. DeVos and his wife became co-chairs of the Education Freedom Fund in 1993. They went on to create different corporations like Amway Services, Amway Sales, and Amway Manufacturing to cater to the various needs of the company, which ultimately merged into one entity; the Amway Corporation in 1964. Beloved husband of the late Berneita Ann (nee Heyman).