Rex Maughan
Encyclopedia
Rex G. Maughan is the founder, president, and CEO of Forever Living Products
and Terry Labs. He is a philanthropist
who has purportedly given millions of US dollars to several causes.
Maughan grew up on a ranch in Soda Springs, Idaho
and eventually served an LDS mission
in Samoa
. Rex met his wife Ruth at Brigham Young University
(BYU) when he volunteered to coach her on her tennis serve. The two were married shortly thereafter, and when Ruth graduated from BYU with a degree in elementary education, she and Rex moved to Arizona. Ruth taught school while Rex finished his degree at Arizona State University
, eventually earning his B.S. in Accounting in 1962.
Maughan began investing in land while still working as an accountant in the early 1960s, buying a few acres here, a small ranch there. Then, tiring of accounting, he joined Del Webb
, builder of retirement communities, and spent the next 13 years working his way up (eventually to vice president) while steadily adding to his own real estate and ranching investments.
Today, Rex and Ruth have three children and 12 grandchildren.
in a two-room office. The company initially made lotions from the aloe vera plant. The product line has grown and diversified, now encompassing 190 health and beauty aides ranging from vitamins to aloe detergent, from spring water to lip gloss, from protein powder to bee pollen. Since aloe vera is still a key ingredient in many of Forever Living products, Maughan segued into aloe cultivation and processing.
He branched into the resort business in 1981, under the umbrella of a sister company, Forever Resorts. His reasoning for this venture, he explains, was out of business opportunity and to fulfill his love for travel.
’s home, making it into a museum, collecting Stevenson’s books, and continuing his memory.
team to American Samoa to coordinate installation of a satellite receiver he and Ruth had donated.
Other projects have included becoming involved with the U.S. parks system, collaborating on thorny public-land and cattle-grazing issues; persuading tribal chiefs in Samoa (remembering that Maughan speaks Samoan) to cancel a rain forest logging contract with a Japanese company and turn the acreage into a protected park—he, in return, built a modern school to replace the village's thatch-roofed hut, and hired certified teachers.
's bid for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Presidency.
as the 368th richest man in the world, with a net worth of $600 million.
Forever Living Products
Forever Living Products International, Inc. is a Scottsdale, Arizona-based direct selling company that sells aloe vera and bee derived drinks, cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and personal care products in over 145 countries. Forever is the world's largest grower, manufacturer and distributor...
and Terry Labs. He is a philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
who has purportedly given millions of US dollars to several causes.
Maughan grew up on a ranch in Soda Springs, Idaho
Soda Springs, Idaho
Soda Springs is a city in Caribou County, Idaho, United States. The population was 3,381 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Caribou County....
and eventually served an LDS mission
Mission (LDS Church)
A mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a geographical administrative area to which church missionaries are assigned. Almost all areas of the world are within the boundaries of an LDS Church mission, whether or not Mormon missionaries live or proselytize in the area...
in Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
. Rex met his wife Ruth at Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
(BYU) when he volunteered to coach her on her tennis serve. The two were married shortly thereafter, and when Ruth graduated from BYU with a degree in elementary education, she and Rex moved to Arizona. Ruth taught school while Rex finished his degree at Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
, eventually earning his B.S. in Accounting in 1962.
Maughan began investing in land while still working as an accountant in the early 1960s, buying a few acres here, a small ranch there. Then, tiring of accounting, he joined Del Webb
Del Webb
Delbert Eugene Webb was an American construction magnate, real estate developer and sports-team owner, who is most significant for founding and developing the retirement community of Sun City, Arizona.-Early life:...
, builder of retirement communities, and spent the next 13 years working his way up (eventually to vice president) while steadily adding to his own real estate and ranching investments.
Today, Rex and Ruth have three children and 12 grandchildren.
Forever Living Products
Maughan founded Forever Living ProductsForever Living Products
Forever Living Products International, Inc. is a Scottsdale, Arizona-based direct selling company that sells aloe vera and bee derived drinks, cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and personal care products in over 145 countries. Forever is the world's largest grower, manufacturer and distributor...
in a two-room office. The company initially made lotions from the aloe vera plant. The product line has grown and diversified, now encompassing 190 health and beauty aides ranging from vitamins to aloe detergent, from spring water to lip gloss, from protein powder to bee pollen. Since aloe vera is still a key ingredient in many of Forever Living products, Maughan segued into aloe cultivation and processing.
He branched into the resort business in 1981, under the umbrella of a sister company, Forever Resorts. His reasoning for this venture, he explains, was out of business opportunity and to fulfill his love for travel.
Robert Louis Stevenson Museum
In Samoa the Maughans have preserved author Robert Louis StevensonRobert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
’s home, making it into a museum, collecting Stevenson’s books, and continuing his memory.
BYU Television
In early 2005 Maughan accompanied a BYU TelevisionBYU Television
__NOEDITSECTION__Brigham Young University Television is a cable/satellite television channel operated by Brigham Young University...
team to American Samoa to coordinate installation of a satellite receiver he and Ruth had donated.
Other projects have included becoming involved with the U.S. parks system, collaborating on thorny public-land and cattle-grazing issues; persuading tribal chiefs in Samoa (remembering that Maughan speaks Samoan) to cancel a rain forest logging contract with a Japanese company and turn the acreage into a protected park—he, in return, built a modern school to replace the village's thatch-roofed hut, and hired certified teachers.
Political contributions
He has financially supported various political campaigns, including most recently Mitt RomneyMitt Romney
Willard Mitt Romney is an American businessman and politician. He was the 70th Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and is a candidate for the 2012 Republican Party presidential nomination.The son of George W...
's bid for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Presidency.
Honors and awards
- ASUArizona State UniversityArizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
Alumni Hall of Fame (Inducted October 27, 2007) - BYUBrigham Young UniversityBrigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
President's Leadership Council Executive Committee Member
Wealth
In 2002 Maughan was listed in the Forbes 400Forbes 400
The Forbes 400 or 400 Richest Americans is a list published by Forbes Magazine magazine of the wealthiest 400 Americans, ranked by net worth. The list is published annually in September, and 2010 marks the 29th issue. The 400 was started by Malcom Forbes in 1982 and treats those in the list like...
as the 368th richest man in the world, with a net worth of $600 million.