Christel DeHaan
Christel DeHaan (née Stark, October 20, 1942 – June 6, 2020) was a German-American businesswoman and philanthropist who was the owner of Resort Condominiums International and the founder of Christel House International.
Christel DeHaan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Christel Stark October 20, 1942 |
| Died | June 6, 2020 (aged 77) Indianapolis, Indiana, US |
| Occupation(s) | Founder, Christel House International |
| Known for | Co-founder and former owner, Resort Condominiums International |
| Spouse |
Jon DeHaan
(m. 1973; div. 1987) |
| Children | 3 |
Early life
DeHaan was born in 1942 in Nördlingen, Germany,[1] the daughter of Adolf Stark, a German soldier who died shortly before the end of World War II, and his wife Anna Stark.[2] Her stepfather, Wilhelm Riedel died when she was 16.[2] At the age of 16, she moved to the United Kingdom to become a nanny.[1] Aged 20, she emigrated to the United States, settling in Indiana.[1]
Career
In 1974, DeHaan co-founded the pioneering timeshare company Resort Condominiums International, with her then-husband Jon DeHaan. In 1979, he had a heart attack, and she took over the running of the company. In 1987, they divorced; she was awarded half the company and bought the rest for $67.5 million.[3]
Philanthropy
DeHaan founded and donated $220 million to the Christel House International.[3]
Personal life
In 1972, she married Jon DeHaan (b. 1940).[1] She had three children and lived in Indianapolis, Indiana, US.[3] She died on June 6, 2020, at her home.[4]
References
- Hawn, Carleen (November 16, 1998). "Yearning for Love". Forbes. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
- Michael S. Maurer (January 7, 2009). 19 Stars of Indiana: Exceptional Hoosier Women. Indiana University Press. pp. 14–25. ISBN 978-0-253-00270-9. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
- "Forbes profile: Christel DeHaan". Forbes. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
- "Philanthropist, community leader Christel DeHaan dies at 77". WTTV CBS4Indy. June 6, 2020. Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020.