Christel DeHaan
Christel DeHaan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Christel Stark 20 October 1942 Nördlingen, Germany |
| Died | 6 June 2020 (aged 77) |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, benefactor |
| Known for | Ownership of Resort Condominiums International; founder of Christel House International |
Christel DeHaan (née Stark; October 20, 1942 – June 6, 2020) was a German-American entrepreneur and benefactor, recognized for her ownership of Resort Condominiums International and for establishing Christel House International.
Early life
Born in 1942 in Nördlingen, Germany, DeHaan was the daughter of Adolf Stark, a German soldier who passed away near the conclusion of World War II, and Anna Stark. After the death of her stepfather Wilhelm Riedel when she was 16, she relocated to the United Kingdom to work as a nanny. At age 20, she immigrated to the United States and made her home in Indiana.
Career
Together with her then-husband Jon DeHaan, DeHaan co-established the timeshare enterprise Resort Condominiums International in 1974. She assumed control of the company’s operations following Jon’s heart attack in 1979. Upon their divorce in 1987, she purchased his stake for $67.5 million, becoming the sole proprietor.
DeHaan eventually sold RCI in 1995 for $825 million.
Philanthropy
Christel DeHaan founded Christel House International, contributing $220 million to develop educational institutions across eight cities such as Bangalore and Naya Raipur in India; Mexico City; Cape Town; and Indianapolis. The organization is dedicated to providing education to underprivileged children worldwide. In August 2019, a ninth facility was inaugurated in Jamaica.
Personal life
She married Jon DeHaan (born 1940) in 1972. The couple had three children and resided in Indianapolis. Christel DeHaan passed away at her residence on June 6, 2020.