Betsy DeVos

Betsy DeVos served as the eleventh United States Secretary of Education under President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2021. A prominent Republican donor and advocate for school choice, her tenure was marked by significant policy shifts and contentious confirmation hearings. Prior to her federal appointment, she was a major figure in Michigan politics and national education reform movements, chairing the American Federation for Children. Her political and philanthropic work, often conducted with her husband Dick DeVos, has made her a polarizing figure in debates over public education.

Early life and education

Elisabeth Dee Prince was born on January 8, 1958, in Holland, Michigan, into a wealthy family with deep ties to Michigan industry and Republican politics. Her father, Edgar Prince, was a successful automotive parts manufacturer who founded the Prince Corporation. She attended the private Holland Christian Schools before enrolling at Calvin University, a Christian college in Grand Rapids, Michigan. At Calvin University, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and was actively involved in campus politics, an experience that shaped her future advocacy.

Business and political career

Following her education, she became deeply involved in Michigan Republican politics, serving as a local precinct delegate and on various party committees. Alongside her husband, Dick DeVos—the former president of Amway and son of its co-founder Richard DeVos—she became a formidable force in political fundraising. The couple’s extensive contributions supported candidates for the Michigan Republican State Committee, the United States Senate, and the Republican National Committee. She served as chair of the Michigan Republican Party from 1996 to 2000 and 2003 to 2005, and later chaired the American Federation for Children, a national advocacy group promoting school voucher programs.

U.S. Secretary of Education

Nominated by President Donald Trump in November 2016, her confirmation process before the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions was highly contentious, requiring a historic tie-breaking vote cast by Vice President Mike Pence. As Secretary, she oversaw the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act and worked to roll back numerous regulations from the Obama administration, including guidelines on Title IX and campus sexual assault and the Gainful Employment rule. Her department faced criticism for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and for proposing significant budget cuts to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and the Department of Education. She resigned on January 8, 2021, following the 2021 United States Capitol attack.

Political positions and advocacy

A lifelong proponent of school choice, she has advocated for the expansion of charter schools, school voucher programs, and education savings accounts, arguing they provide alternatives for families in underperforming public school districts. Her critics, including the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, contend these policies drain resources from traditional public school systems. She has also been a vocal supporter of religious liberty, advocating for public funding to flow to private schools, including those with religious affiliations. Her political activism extends beyond education, having supported conservative causes and candidates through organizations like the Windquest Group and the Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation.

Personal life

She married Dick DeVos in 1979, and the couple has four children. They reside primarily in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and maintain a residence in Ada Township. The DeVos family are prominent members of the Christian Reformed Church in North America and are known for their extensive philanthropy in West Michigan, supporting institutions like the DeVos Place convention center, the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, and the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Her brother, Erik Prince, is the founder of the private military company Blackwater Worldwide. The family’s wealth, derived from Amway and the Prince Corporation, has consistently ranked them among the most influential political donors in the United States.

Category:United States Secretaries of Education Category:American education activists Category:People from Holland, Michigan