Christel DeHaan

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Christel DeHaan
Christel-DeHaan.jpg
Born
Christel Stark

(1942-10-20)October 20, 1942
DiedJune 6, 2020(2020-06-06) (aged 77)
Indianapolis, Indiana, US
OccupationFounder, Christel House International
Known forCo-founder and former owner, Resort Condominiums International
Spouse(s)
Jon DeHaan
(m. 1973; div. 1987)
Children3

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.

Early life[]

DeHaan was born in 1942 in Nördlingen, Germany,[2] the daughter of Adolf Stark, a German soldier who died shortly before the end of World War II, and his wife Anna Stark.[3] Her stepfather, Wilhelm Riedel died when she was 16.[3] At the age of 16, she moved to the United Kingdom to become a nanny.[2] Aged 20, she emigrated to the United States, settling in Indiana.[2]

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.[1]

In 1995, she sold RCI for $825 million.[1][2]

Philanthropy[]

DeHaan founded and donated $220 million to the Christel House International.[1]

Personal life[]

In 1972, she married Jon DeHaan (b. 1940).[2] She had three children and lived in Indianapolis, Indiana, US.[1] She died on June 6, 2020, at her home.[4]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Forbes profile: Christel DeHaan". Forbes. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e Hawn, Carleen (November 16, 1998). "Yearning for Love". Forbes. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  3. ^ a b 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.
  4. ^ "Philanthropist, community leader Christel DeHaan dies at 77". WTTV CBS4Indy. June 6, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020.


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