Richard DeVos

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name = Richard DeVos, Sr.


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birth_date = March 4, 1926
birth_place = Grand Rapids, MI, USA
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nationality = Dutch-American
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known_for = Amway founder, owner of NBA's Orlando Magic
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networth = USD$ 3.5 billion
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spouse = Helen
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children = Dick DeVos, Dan DeVos, Cheri DeVos VanderWeide, Doug DeVos
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footnotes = Richard DeVos, Sr., (born March 4, 1926, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.) is a billionaire 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 [ [http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/10/07billionaires_The-Worlds-Billionaires_Rank.html] ] (at one point he was in the top 10 of wealthiest Americans).

DeVos is a heart transplant recipient and is the owner of pro basketball's Orlando Magic. DeVos, Sr., sits 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 [http://www.constitutioncenter.org] 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. [cite news | title=Fate, patience bring DeVos a new heart: Amway cofounder back after journey for life | publisher = Detroit Free Press | last=Levin | first=Doron | date=October 8, 1997] In 1975, DeVos published a book about his success, titled "Believe!".

His son, Dick DeVos, is a member of the Republican Party, and lost the 2006 election as the Governor of Michigan in the Michigan gubernatorial race.

References

ee also

*List of billionaires

External links

* [http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/54/biz_06rich400_Richard-M-DeVos_GLPH.html Forbes page about Richard Devos]
* [http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/54/biz_06rich400_The-400-Richest-Americans_Rank_3.html Forbes World's Richest People]
* [http://www.nndb.com/people/829/000118475/ Richard DeVos at NNDB]
* [http://www.newsmeat.com/billionaire_political_donations/Richard_DeVos.php Richard DeVos' campaign contributions]