Betsy DeVos Biography and Net Worth

Who is Betsy DeVos?

Elisabeth Dee DeVos is an American politician and philanthropist, she served as the 11th Secretary of Education in the United States from 2017 to 2021.

Bio Data

Biography

Betsy DeVos, born on January 8, 1958, in Holland, Michigan, comes from a Dutch background. Her father, Edgar Prince, was a wealthy industrialist who founded Prince Corporation, a car parts company.

She attended Holland Christian High School in her hometown and later Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1979, she earned a bachelor’s degree in business economics. During college, she actively engaged in campus politics, supported Gerald Ford’s presidential campaign, and even took part in the 1976 Republican National Convention for Young Republicans.

DeVos was raised in the Christian Reformed faith and remains a devoted member and elder at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids. Influenced by Dutch neo-Calvinist thinker Abraham Kuyper, a key figure in Christian Democratic political thought, according to former Fuller Seminary president Richard Mouw, who worked alongside DeVos on a committee.

In addition, DeVos has been an advocate for educational reform, emphasizing school choice and charter schools throughout her career.

Career

Betsy DeVos, who has been married to Dick since 1979, has a long political and business career. She joined the Michigan Republican Party in 1982 and served in various capacities until 2005. DeVos was later appointed as the United States Secretary of Education by President Trump in 2017. During her tenure, her support for educational choice and charter schools sparked debate. She directed pandemic relief monies to private and religious institutions in 2020.

Aside from politics, DeVos and her husband co-founded the Windquest Group in 1989. They are also affiliated with Neurocore, a medical group that has been chastised for its activities. They formed the Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation in 1989 as philanthropists, contributing to a variety of organizations.

DeVos has been on the boards of the Action Institute, the Kennedy Center, and the American Federation for Children. She is a staunch supporter of the Detroit charter school system. Following the Capitol attack in January 2021, she resigned as Secretary of Education, citing the influence of Trump’s speech. Despite her contentious tenure, DeVos remains an influential force in American politics and education.

Net Worth

Betsy DeVos has an estimated net worth of $2 billion, he was the U.S. Secretary of Education from 2017 to 2021.

Prior, she chaired the Michigan Republican Party and sat on Christian and conservative boards. Her support for school choice, vouchers, and charter schools drew significant criticism during her time in office.

Marital Status

Betsy DeVos got married to her husband Dick in 1979. he inherited a huge fortune from Amway and led Amway’s parent company Alticor from 1993 to 2002.

Later, in 2006, he ran as the Republican candidate for governor of Michigan. Betsy and Dick have four adult children: Rick, Elissa, Andrea, and Ryan.

FAQs

Q: Who is Betsy DeVos?

A: Betsy DeVos is an American politician and philanthropist. She served as the 11th Secretary of Education in the United States from 2017 to 2021.

Q: What were Betsy DeVos’s main focus areas during her time as Secretary of Education?

A: Betsy DeVos advocated for school choice, school voucher programs, and charter schools. These policies aimed to provide families with more options for their children’s education.

Q: What other roles has Betsy DeVos held in her career?

A: Before becoming Secretary of Education, DeVos chaired the Michigan Republican Party and was involved with various Christian and conservative organizations. She is also known for her significant philanthropic work.

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