Table of Contents
- How the DeVos Family Built Their Empire
- The Political Power of $5.4 Billion
- From Amway to Bourbon: Diversifying the Empire
- Controversies and Net Worth Fluctuations
- 10 Key Facts About DeVos Family Net Worth
- FAQ: Answers to Common Questions
How the DeVos Family Built Their Empire
The DeVos family’s wealth traces back to Richard and Helen DeVos, who co-founded Amway in 1959. This direct-selling giant became the cornerstone of their fortune, with Amway generating over $8.3 billion in revenue annually by the 2010s. Richard and Helen’s entrepreneurial vision created a global network of distributors, turning Amway into a household name for products ranging from cosmetics to cleaning supplies. Their son, Dick DeVos, took the helm in 1993, expanding the company’s reach into international markets and restructuring its parent company, Alticor, to hold a diversified portfolio of assets.
Amway’s Legacy (1959–Present)
Amway’s success laid the foundation for the family’s wealth. By 2025, the family’s stake in Alticor, which owns Amway, accounted for the majority of their net worth. Dick DeVos’s leadership saw the company grow into a multinational corporation with operations in over 100 countries. The family’s ownership of Alticor’s Class A shares, which give them significant voting control, has been a key asset in maintaining their financial dominance.
Real Estate & Sports Investments
Beyond Amway, the DeVos family diversified into real estate and sports. Dick DeVos founded the Windquest Group in the 1980s, a real estate and transportation holding company valued at over $1 billion. The family also owns the Orlando Magic NBA team, purchased in 1997 for $120 million and now worth an estimated $2.5 billion. These ventures further solidified their status as one of America’s wealthiest families.
The Political Power of $5.4 Billion
The DeVos family has leveraged their wealth to influence American politics, particularly through their support of conservative causes. Betsy DeVos, Dick’s wife, became a prominent figure in Republican circles after her $2 billion fortune funded campaigns for school vouchers, tax cuts, and right-to-work laws. Her appointment as U.S. Secretary of Education under President Donald Trump (2017–2020) brought her financial interests into national focus.
$12M in 2024 Election Donations
In 2024, the family poured $12 million into Republican political campaigns, according to MLive. This included support for candidates advocating for school choice and deregulation. Their investments in political lobbying groups like Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce have amplified their influence on education policy, pushing for privatization of public schools.
Right-to-Work and Philanthropy
The DeVos Foundation has donated over $350 million to conservative causes, including Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce and the Heritage Foundation. Their advocacy for right-to-work laws, which prohibit union dues as a condition of employment, has drawn criticism from labor groups. Meanwhile, their philanthropy extends to the arts, with major donations to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and the Van Gogh Museum in the Netherlands.
From Amway to Bourbon: Diversifying the Empire
The DeVos family has consistently expanded their wealth beyond Amway. In 2025, Dick DeVos invested in high-end bourbon and whiskey production through CraftCo., a company he praised on social media for winning awards at international competitions. This move into luxury alcohol brands reflects a broader strategy to diversify their assets into premium, high-margin industries.
CraftCo. and the $50M Bourbon Play
According to Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy, CraftCo. owns brands like Joseph Magnus and Coppercraft, which have won multiple awards at whiskey festivals. The family’s $50 million investment in this sector highlights their focus on premium consumer markets. Dick DeVos’s public endorsements of CraftCo. suggest a personal stake in the venture, though exact ownership percentages remain undisclosed.
Windquest Group’s Expansion
The Windquest Group has also grown beyond real estate, acquiring transportation companies and renewable energy projects. By 2025, the holding company’s valuation exceeded $1.2 billion, driven by strategic acquisitions in logistics and infrastructure. This diversification has shielded the family from market volatility in the direct-selling industry.
Controversies and Net Worth Fluctuations
The DeVos family’s wealth has seen significant fluctuations over the past decade. Forbes listed their net worth at $5.8 billion in 2024, but by 2025, it rebounded to $9.3 billion due to asset sales and market gains. Critics argue that their wealth growth correlates with tax avoidance strategies, including aggressive estate planning and charitable deductions.
Criticisms of Tax Avoidance
According to Americans for Tax Fairness, the family’s net worth in 2025 was $5.4 billion, despite their charitable donations. Critics claim their tax filings underreport income from Amway and other ventures, allowing them to minimize federal taxes. This has fueled debates about wealth inequality and the role of private foundations in shaping public policy.
Amway Controversies
Amway has faced lawsuits over its business model, with critics labeling it a pyramid scheme. While the company maintains its legitimacy, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has repeatedly investigated Amway’s earnings claims. These legal challenges have occasionally impacted the family’s net worth, though their majority stake in Alticor insulates them from direct financial losses.
10 Key Facts About DeVos Family Net Worth
1. $9.3 Billion (2025)
As of July 2025, Forbes estimates the family’s net worth at $9.3 billion, making them one of America’s top 100 wealthiest families. This figure includes assets from Amway, real estate, and sports investments.
2. $5.8 Billion (2024)
By October 2024, their net worth had dropped to $5.8 billion, likely due to market corrections and strategic asset sales. This highlights the volatility of their wealth.
3. $2 Billion (Betsy DeVos)
Betsy DeVos’s personal fortune is estimated at $2 billion, primarily from Amway stock and inherited wealth. Her political spending has amplified her influence on education policy.
4. $12 Million in 2024 Elections
The family donated $12 million to Republican campaigns in 2024, funding efforts to expand school vouchers and roll back labor protections.
5. $350 Million in Charitable Donations
The DeVos Foundation has given over $350 million to conservative causes, including the Heritage Foundation and the American Future Fund.
6. $8.3 Billion (Amway Revenue)
Amway generates annual revenue of $8.3 billion, with the family holding a 10% stake in Alticor, its parent company.
7. $2.5 Billion (Orlando Magic)
The family owns the Orlando Magic NBA team, purchased in 1997 for $120 million and now valued at $2.5 billion.
8. $50 Million (CraftCo. Investment)
In 2025, Dick DeVos invested $50 million in CraftCo., a bourbon and whiskey brand, signaling a shift toward luxury consumer goods.
9. $1.2 Billion (Windquest Group)
The Windquest Group, a real estate and transportation holding company, is valued at $1.2 billion as of 2025.
10. $5.4 Billion (2025 Tax Fairness)
Americans for Tax Fairness reports the family’s net worth at $5.4 billion in 2025, citing concerns about tax avoidance strategies.
FAQ: Answers to Common Questions
How Did the DeVos Family Make Their Money?
The family’s wealth originates from Amway, co-founded by Richard and Helen DeVos in 1959. Dick DeVos expanded the company globally, while their investments in real estate, sports, and bourbon further diversified their empire.
What Is the Current Net Worth of the DeVos Family in 2026?
As of July 2026, the DeVos family’s net worth is estimated at $9.3 billion, according to Forbes. This includes assets from Amway, the Orlando Magic, and CraftCo.
How Has the DeVos Family Used Their Wealth in Politics?
The family has donated $12 million to Republican campaigns in 2024, advocating for school vouchers, tax cuts, and right-to-work laws. Betsy DeVos’s political career and lobbying efforts further reflect their influence.
What Companies Does the DeVos Family Own Besides Amway?
They own the Orlando Magic NBA team, the Windquest Group (real estate/transportation), and CraftCo. (bourbon/whiskey). These ventures highlight their diversification strategy.
Why Does the DeVos Family’s Net Worth Fluctuate So Much?
Market trends, asset sales (e.g., Amway stock), and political investments cause fluctuations. For example, their net worth dropped from $9.3 billion in 2025 to $5.8 billion in 2024.
What Philanthropy Efforts Are Associated With the DeVos Family?
The DeVos Foundation has donated $350 million+ to conservative causes, including the Heritage Foundation and education reform groups. They also fund arts initiatives like the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.
How Did Dick DeVos Expand the Family’s Wealth Beyond Amway?
Dick DeVos grew the family’s wealth through Windquest Group (real estate), the Orlando Magic, and recent bourbon investments. These ventures provided stable income streams outside Amway’s volatility.
Conclusion: Final Verdict
The DeVos family’s net worth of $9.3 billion in 2026 reflects a legacy of entrepreneurship, political influence, and strategic diversification. From Amway’s founding in 1959 to their bourbon investments in 2025, the family has consistently expanded their empire while leveraging wealth to shape policy. However, their fortune remains a subject of debate, with critics questioning their tax strategies and political spending. As their ventures evolve—from NBA teams to high-end whiskey—their financial power shows no signs of waning, cementing their status as one of America’s most influential families.