George W. Romney, a Republican Party politician and successful businessman, served as the 43rd Governor of Michigan. Born in a Mormon colony in Mexico, he moved to the USA at a young age due to the Mexican Revolution. Despite a nomadic upbringing, he excelled academically and gained valuable political experience under Senator David I. Walsh. However, his true success came in the business world, working with prominent companies such as Alcoa and the American Motors Corporation. In 1961–1962, he ventured into politics and eventually became Governor of Michigan. In his later years, he dedicated his time to promoting volunteerism.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: George Wilcken Romney
- Died At Age: 88
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Lenore LaFount (m. 1931)
- Father: Gaskell Romney
- Mother: Anna Amelia Romney
- Children: Jane Romney, Lynn Keenan, Margo Lynn Romney, Mitt Romney, Scott Romney
- Born Country: Mexico
- CEOs
- Political Leaders
- Died on: July 26, 1995
- Place of Death: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, United States
- Ancestry: American Mexican, Mexican American
- Notable Alumni: Latter-day Saints University
- Cause of Death: Heart Attack
- Education: Latter-day Saints University
Childhood & Early Life
George Wilcken Romney was born on July 8, 1907 in Colonia Dublán, a Mormon colony in Chihuahua, Mexico, to Gaskell Romney and Anna Amelia nee Pratt. He was the fourth of his parents’ seven children, with three elder brothers and two younger brothers, as well as one sister.
As the Mexican Revolution began in 1910, the Romney family felt threatened and returned to the USA in July 1912, leaving their property behind. They initially took refuge in Texas and then moved from place to place until finally settling down in Salt Lake City in 1917. George graduated from Latter-day Saints High School in 1925 and entered Latter-day Saints University.
In October 1926, George sailed for Great Britain as a Mormon missionary and was assigned to preach in Glasgow, Scotland. However, he failed to make a single conversion and returned to the US in late 1928. He briefly studied at the University of Utah and LDS Business College.
Career
In the fall of 1929, George W. Romney moved to Washington D.C and found employment with Massachusetts Democratic U.S. Senator David I. Walsh. He also attended night classes at George Washington University. In June 1930, he was hired by Alcoa Corporation as an apprentice and later as a lobbyist, serving in this capacity for nine years. In 1939, he joined the American Automobile Manufacturers Association as a manager of their Detroit office.
During the Second World War, Romney gained importance for his contribution to war production and held other important positions. In 1948, he left the Automobile Manufacturers Association to join Nash Kelvinator and later became the President and Chairman of the Board of American Motors Corporation (AMC).
In February 1962, George W. Romney took an indefinite leave of absence from AMC to enter electoral politics. He became the Governor of Michigan in 1963 and held the position until 1969. He also ran for the Republican nomination in the 1968 Presidential election but lost to Richard Nixon.
On becoming President, Nixon appointed Romney as the 3rd United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Romney’s appointment was confirmed on January 22, 1969, but he had little influence in Nixon’s inner circle and differences arose between the two men. Romney resigned in 1973 and focused on public service until his death in 1995.
Family & Personal Life
George Romney married Lenore LaFount in 1931 and they had four children. He died of a heart attack in 1995 at the age of 88 and was buried in Michigan. Several buildings and awards have been named after him in his honor.
Trivia: George W. Romney was known for his fondness for his wife and would often bring her a flower every day with a love note.