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 (1942-10-20)October 20, 1942 Nördlingen, Bavaria, Germany
Died	June 6, 2020(2020-06-06) (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] At the age of 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]

In 1995, she sold RCI for $825 million.^[3][1]

Philanthropy

DeHaan founded and donated $220 million to Christel House International.^[3] The nonprofit organization has opened schools in eight cities: Bangalore and Naya Raipur, India; Mexico City, Mexico; Cape Town, South Africa; and Indianapolis. The schools are designed to provide an education to poor children around the world. Christel House announced in July 2017 that a ninth school would open in Jamaica in August 2019.^[4][5]

Personal life

In 1972, she married Jon DeHaan (b. 1940).^[1] She had three children and lived in Indianapolis.^[3] She died on June 6, 2020, at her home.^[6]