Is the American Dream still alive and well? Or is it dead and buried as some critics have argued? 

While the American Dream may not be celebrated in Hollywood or talked about in pop culture as much as it used to be, there are still modern-day examples that prove that the path to prosperity is real and achievable. 

Look no further than a farm kid named Frank VanderSloot, who grew up dirt poor on a small family farm in the obscure town of Cocolalla, Idaho. The son of a railroad worker, Frank had some heavy responsibilities, which included running the farm—even as a 12-year-old boy. 

Today, Forbes magazine estimates this self-made billionaire’s net worth at $3.1 billion.

At 74 years old, Frank VanderSloot is currently executive chairman of the board of directors at Melaleuca: The Wellness Company, and his work ethic hasn’t changed much from when he was a boy. When he was 36 years old, Frank VanderSloot founded Melaleuca: The Wellness Company, a health products company in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and for the last 37 consecutive years he’s been growing it as chief executive officer. Though he recently handed over the reins to a new CEO, Jerry Felton, Frank VanderSloot remains heavily involved in all aspects of the company and continues to lead the activities of the marketing and legal departments.   

Frank’s success is the epitome of the American Dream, having earned his way to the top of the corporate ladder without much in the way of outside assistance. He makes no secret of his love for America and this country’s free enterprise system or the opportunities afforded to those who work hard to achieve success.

Raised on Hard Work 

Frank VanderSloot’s childhood was filled with farm-related chores, such as chopping wood to heat the home and the wood stove, milking cows every morning and night and caring for livestock. Since his father worked away on the railroad five days a week, Frank was tasked to handle the farm’s responsibilities.

One day, his father sat him down for a heart-to-heart and expressed a desire for Frank to have a better life. He counseled Frank to get a good education, encouraging the young teenager to save every penny so he could attend college one day. Fortunately, Frank heeded his father’s advice and did everything he could to save up for higher education. Frank worked all sorts of odd jobs in his spare time. By the time he left for college, Frank had scraped up enough money to pay for five semesters of tuition.

After he was accepted to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, Frank paid his living expenses by working at a laundromat and living in a supply closet behind the dryers. The value of a dollar was never lost on him. 

A Rising Star

Frank VanderSloot had a head for business management coupled with a relentless work ethic. After graduating from Brigham Young University, he rose to senior positions at two Fortune 500 companies by the time he was 35 years old. His first job was at Automatic Data Processing (ADP). During his nearly 10 years with the company, he moved to three different cities and became a regional vice president. Afterward, he transitioned to Cox Communications in Vancouver, Washington, where he served as regional vice president of the cable TV division.

Melaleuca Is Born

In 1985, Frank VanderSloot returned to Idaho and eventually created Melaleuca: The Wellness Company. Under Frank’s steady leadership as chief executive officer, Melaleuca has evolved from a startup to a multinational firm that generates over $2 billion in annual sales.

This health and wellness products company manufactures and distributes over 400 household products, including nutritional supplements, cleaning supplies and personal care and beauty products, which are sold directly to consumers at Melaleuca.com. This has become the largest online wellness shopping club in North America. Melaleuca has about 2 million shoppers per month and employs roughly 5,000 people in 20 countries and territories around the world.

Business Accolades

Over the years, Frank VanderSloot has been honored with various awards.

In 1997, Frank began serving on the board of directors for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which he continues to do today. 

In 1998, he was declared the Idaho Business Leader of the Year.

In 2001, he was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, CNN and USA Today. 

In 2008, Frank was awarded the Better Business Bureau Hall of Fame Torch Award.

In 2015, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas presented VanderSloot with the Horatio Alger Award when he became a lifetime member of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. 

In 2019, he received the Idaho Business Review’s Icon Award.

In 2021, he was inducted into the Idaho Technology Council’s Hall of Fame for running Idaho’s largest e-commerce company and for having a lengthy track record of product innovation. 

Philanthropy and Frank

Giving back and lifting up those in need are of great importance to Frank VanderSloot. Whether by his own means, his business or the Melaleuca Foundation, Frank has provided charitable assistance to a variety of causes.

As a farmer and cattle rancher, for example, Frank takes special interest in the hard work put in by the local 4-H kids every year, and to support them, he’s one of the top buyers of their animals.  

Under Frank’s direction, Melaleuca paid half the costs for a new event center in southeast Idaho to be used by the 4-H program and other youth activities.

Also, as an annual tradition, Frank buys one of the top steers at the 4-H sale and donates it to Shepherd’s Inn, a nonprofit that helps pregnant teens. In turn, the nonprofit processes the steer and holds a raffle called Win the Whole Cow, which helps them pay the bills. Thanks to Frank’s donation and the nonprofit’s ingenuity, the fundraiser generates over 35% of its annual budget.

The Melaleuca Foundation

Frank VanderSloot’s philanthropy goes far beyond local interests. In the wake of 9/11, Frank formed the Melaleuca Foundation, a charitable arm of Melaleuca: The Wellness Company. Through this foundation, Melaleuca has been able to reach out to tens of thousands of families who are suffering. 

The Melaleuca Foundation regularly runs to the rescue in times of natural disaster and catastrophe, feeds the hungry and supports a wide range of humanitarian causes. Recently, it delivered first aid and relief supplies to Ukrainians under siege, and it sent over $235,000 worth of products to the Philippines after Typhoon Ophelia ravaged the country. 

Saving Family Farms

Frank VanderSloot is also credited with saving the dairy industry in southeast Idaho after the Kraft factory near his home announced it was closing the last plant in the area. 

The story goes that two dairy farmers approached Frank and asked him to purchase the factory and keep it operating. Understanding the severity of the situation if he chose not to act, Frank ultimately bought the plant even though he had no desire at all to get into this business. He invested over $4 million in total and says the money he lost in this endeavor was the best money he’s ever spent.

Thanks to Frank’s purchase and modernization of this factory, 125 dairy farms and their families continued to have a place to send their milk; their livelihoods and the livelihoods of hundreds of agricultural businesses were spared. More than 800 people kept their jobs, and this part of the agricultural industry in eastern Idaho was saved. The vast majority of these dairies are still in existence because of the charitable work that Frank did to save the industry.

Family Is First for Frank

There is no denying that Frank VanderSloot has achieved high levels of professional success. But according to a news story in Forbes, Frank says his family is his top priority. 

After all, he does have a unique distinction: Frank Vandersloot happens to be the billionaire with the most children in the U.S. He has been married to his wife, Belinda, for 26 years, and they have 14 children and 54 grandchildren. Frank had six children and Belinda eight from previous marriages.

To pass along his cowboy ethics, Frank VanderSloot teaches his grandchildren how to work hard, hold a job and gain an appreciation for manual labor. For several weeks each summer, Frank uses his Riverbend Ranch to host “Grandpa’s Academy” to teach them valuable life lessons through hard work, determination and integrity. After experiencing a few hours of work each day, the grandkids get a well-earned opportunity to relax and play. 

Frank VanderSloot told the business magazine that “being a parent is the most important calling we can have in life. It’s also the most rewarding.” In the article, he also points out that he’s careful “not to destroy them by giving them too much stuff.”