Betsy DeVos’ billionaire father-in-law Richard DeVos dies aged 92

Betsy DeVos’ billionaire father-in-law and Amway founder Richard DeVos dies aged 92 due to complications from an infection

• Richard DeVos died Thursday morning due to complications from an infection
• He was co-founder of direct-selling giant Amway and owner of Orlando Magic 
• The billionaire was also the father-in-law of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos
• He was a major supporter of the Republican Party and was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the Presidential Commission on AIDS
• DeVos is survived by five children, two sisters and a number of grandchildren 

By Valerie Edwards For Dailymail.com and Associated Press

Published: 16:39 BST, 6 September 2018 | Updated: 17:05 BST, 6 September 2018

Billionaire Richard DeVos (pictured in 2007) died Thursday morning at the age of 92 

Billionaire Richard DeVos, co-founder of direct-selling giant Amway, owner of the Orlando Magic and father-in-law of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, died Thursday. He was 92.

Family spokesman Nick Wasmiller said DeVos died at his Ada, Michigan, home due to complications from an infection.

DeVos was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He started Amway along with friend, Jay Van Andel, in 1959. DeVos served as company president until 1993.

The DeVos family bought the NBA’s Orlando Magic in 1991.

Following the news of DeVos’ death, the NBA team expressed their condolences on Twitter.

‘It is with great sadness that we announce, Orlando Magic Senior Chairman Richard M. DeVos passed away today at the age of 92. #LoveYaRich,’ the tweet read. 

DeVos and his late wife, Helen, donated to Christian churches and ministries and various other causes through their Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation. 

He also helped in the revitalization of downtown Grand Rapids, including the restoration of what now is the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.

DeVos was a major supporter of the Republican Party and was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the Presidential Commission on AIDS.

He is survived by his five children, two sisters and a number of grandchildren.

The DeVos family bought the NBA’s Orlando Magic in 1991. DeVos is pictured next to retired NBA star Darrell Armstrong in 2002

Following the news of DeVos’ death, the NBA team expressed their condolences on Twitter

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