Betsy DeVos Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts

Explore Betsy DeVos’s net worth, relationships, age/birthdate and birthday in this in-depth profile of her wealth, family and influence.

Betsy DeVos Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts
Betsy DeVos Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Betsy DeVos Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Betsy DeVos is a businesswoman, philanthropist and former U.S. Secretary of Education best known for her leadership in the school-choice movement and her family’s substantial investment legacy.

Introduction

Betsy DeVos, born on January 8, 1958, has made headlines as a major figure in American education reform, philanthropy and politics. With an estimated net worth ranging in the billions of dollars, she has leveraged her role and personal resources to influence policy, charitable giving and business ventures. Married to businessman and former Amway executive Dick DeVos, her relationship, personal life and family background are as integral to her story as her professional achievements. Her birthday falls on January 8, a date marked annually by those following her public life and philanthropy.

Quick Facts

Category Details
Full Name Elisabeth Dee “Betsy” DeVos
Age/Birthdate January 8, 1958
Birthday January 8
Nationality United States
Profession Businesswoman, Philanthropist, Former U.S. Secretary of Education
Estimated Net Worth Approximately $2 billion (combined with her husband) 
Relationship Status Married to Dick DeVos (since 1979) 
Known For Advocating for charter schools and school vouchers; heading the U.S. Department of Education 

From Holland Michigan Roots to National Influence

Raised in Holland, Michigan, DeVos grew up in a family rooted in industry and conservative Christian values. Her father, Edgar Prince, founded the Prince Corporation, an automotive-parts supplier, instilling in her a strong foundation in business and community leadership. 

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in business economics from Calvin College and early on became active in Michigan‐based Republican politics. 

Defining moments in Betsy DeVos’s journey include:

  • Her marriage in 1979 to Dick DeVos, uniting two wealthy and influential Michigan families. 

  • Founding (with her husband) a private investment group, the Windquest Group, which invested in manufacturing, technology and clean energy. 

  • Her nomination and confirmation as the 11th U.S. Secretary of Education, a role that placed her national spotlight and aligned with her longstanding advocacy for school choice. 

The Core Pillars of Betsy DeVos’s Wealth

The core pillars of Betsy DeVos’s wealth include:

  • Family fortune and inheritance: The wealth generated from the Prince Corporation and Amway-related ventures. 

  • Investments and private holdings via Windquest Group and other private entities. 

  • Philanthropic foundations and assets managed by the DeVos family, producing economic and tax structures that support wealth accumulation. 

To illustrate this in a simplified form:

Category Estimated Value* Source
Business Ventures ~$1.5 billion (combined) Forbes, Business Insider 
Investments & Assets ~$300 million+ CelebrityNetWorth 
Brand/Private Equity /Partnerships Estimated additional value Various disclosures 

*Figures are approximate and reflect available public estimates.

Relationships & Family Life

DeVos has long been in a committed relationship with Dick DeVos. The couple married in 1979 when both were in their early twenties, and together they built a family and network of philanthropic and business interests. 

Key insights into Betsy DeVos’s relationships and personal life:

  • The marriage to Dick DeVos combines two prominent Michigan families — the Princes and the DeVoses — amplifying their social, political and economic influence. 

  • They are the parents of four grown children, and their family activities include philanthropic efforts that span education, the arts and Christian ministries. 

  • Despite her high public profile, DeVos maintains a base in Michigan and emphasizes a faith-driven personal life, including active involvement in church and community organizations. 

Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career success, Betsy DeVos leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:

  • Ownership and use of multiple homes, including in Michigan and Florida, tied to the DeVos family’s real-estate holdings.

  • A keen interest in the arts: The DeVos family funded a $22.5 million gift to the Kennedy Center’s DeVos Institute of Arts Management. 

  • Active philanthropy: Through the Dick & Betsy DeVos Family Foundation, supporting leadership, education, justice and arts initiatives. 

  • Engagement in private investment ventures via Windquest Group, with holdings in technology and manufacturing. 

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

DeVos’s net worth is evaluated through public disclosures, financial journalism and media estimates. Over time, reported values have shifted — reflecting investment gains/losses, private holdings and wealth redistribution.

How her net worth is evaluated:

  • Financial disclosure forms filed during her time in government. 

  • Media reports and Forbes estimates of combined wealth with her husband. 

  • Independent wealth-tracking sites such as CelebrityNetWorth. 

Net Worth Breakdown Table:

Category Estimated Value Source
Business Ventures ~$1.5 billion Forbes, Business Insider 
Investments & Private Assets ~$300 million+ CelebrityNetWorth 
Other Holdings/Income Streams ~$200–300 million Disclosure reports 

Together these add up to an estimated combined net worth of around $2 billion. It’s worth noting that older reports set the figure higher or lower depending on scope and methodology. 

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Betsy DeVos’s public image is multifaceted. In one light, she’s viewed as a trailblazer for school choice and a major philanthropist. In another, she has been a lightning rod for debate on public education policy.

  • In education circles, she is viewed as a leading advocate for charter schools, vouchers and expanding parental options. Her tenure as U.S. Secretary of Education elevated that influence to the national level. 

  • Among political and media observers, her wealth, family ties and campaign-giving have been cited as key to understanding her professional path. 

  • Her philanthropic legacy includes substantial arts funding and scholarship programs, which strengthen her long-term reputation beyond just business. 

Overall, her influence stretches across business, politics and education—creating a legacy that is both celebrated and challenged depending on one’s viewpoint.

Conclusion

From her birth on January 8, 1958 to her ascent in the halls of business and government, Betsy DeVos’s journey has blended wealth, activism and influence. Her estimated net worth of around $2 billion, her married partnership with Dick DeVos, and her commitment to transforming education mark her as a singular figure in both philanthropic and policy spheres. On each yearly January 8—the date of her birthday—her story is not just recalled, but re-examined for its continuing impact on how the United States approaches education reform.