George W. Romney

Date of Birth: July 8, 1907

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: July 26, 1995

Biography

George Wilcken Romney was an American businessman and Republican politician who served as the 43rd Governor of Michigan from 1963 to 1969. Born into a Mormon family in Mexico, Romney moved to the United States as a child. He became a prominent figure in the American automotive industry, serving as the CEO of American Motors Corporation (AMC) where he turned around the company’s fortunes by focusing on smaller, fuel-efficient cars. Romney’s political career began with his successful gubernatorial campaign in Michigan, where he was known for his progressive policies and civil rights advocacy. He also sought the Republican nomination for President in 1968 but lost to Richard Nixon. Later, he served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Nixon from 1969 to 1973. Romney was known for his integrity, work ethic, and commitment to public service. He passed away in 1995.

5 Interesting Facts about George W. Romney

1. George Romney was born in Colonia Dublán, a Mormon colony in Chihuahua, Mexico.

2. He was instrumental in the development of the Rambler, a successful line of compact cars that helped rescue AMC from financial troubles.

3. As Governor of Michigan, he was a strong advocate for civil rights and played a significant role in the state’s civil rights legislation.

4. Romney was one of the first prominent Republicans to criticize the Vietnam War publicly.

5. His son, Mitt Romney, followed in his footsteps both in business and politics, becoming the Governor of Massachusetts and a U.S. Senator from Utah.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from George W. Romney

1. “We cannot improve one condition without affecting another.”

2. “Too often, young people are given to understand that their success is based on the failure of others.”

3. “Freedom has to be more than a word in a song.”

4. “The pursuit of excellence is less profitable than the pursuit of bigness, but it can be more satisfying.”

5. “If we can make Michigan the number one state in the country, we can make America the number one country in the world.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At his peak, George W. Romney’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million, largely due to his successful tenure at American Motors Corporation.

Children

George W. Romney had four children with his wife, Lenore LaFount: 1. Margo Lynn Romney (born 1935) 2. Mitt Romney (born 1947), who became a prominent businessman and politician, including serving as the Governor of Massachusetts and U.S. Senator from Utah. 3. Jane LaFount Romney (born 1938) 4. Scott Romney (born 1941), a lawyer and businessman.