Amway and business career
Richard Marvin “Rich” DeVos (1926–2018) co-founded Amway with Jay Van Andel in 1959. He served as company president until 1993, when his son Dick DeVos succeeded him; another son, Doug DeVos, followed in 2002. Rich also owned the Orlando Magic basketball franchise and supported charitable institutions in Grand Rapids, Michigan. [amwayFounders][amwayCEO]
Family
With his wife Helen DeVos, Rich was a parent of Dick DeVos, husband of Betsy DeVos. Rich was thus Betsy's father-in-law and part of her husband's family business network; he is not the father of Erik Prince, whose father was Edgar Prince. [amwayFounders][family]
Documented connections
- Amway — co-founder in 1959.
- Dick DeVos — son and successor at Amway, 1993.
- Betsy DeVos — daughter-in-law.
Sources
Research reviewed November 14, 2026. Personal, nonprofit, corporate and government relationships remain separately documented.