John Paul DeJoria is an American businessman, the self-made billionaire Co-founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems (JPMS) (hair care) and Patrón Spirits Company (former). Born in Los Angeles, in 1944, his life story is a classic American tale of rags-to-riches, resilience, and extreme hardship. His parents were immigrants; his family broke up, leading him to spend time in foster care and even homelessness early in life.

DeJoria left school early and served aboard the USS Hornet in the U.S. Navy for two years. His entrepreneurial drive began at age nine, selling newspapers and Christmas cards to support his family. His philosophy: Every setback is a setup for a comeback—a mindset built on overcoming homelessness and financial struggle.

• John Paul Mitchell Systems (Co-founder): The core private asset, a global leader in professional hair care products (co-founded with Paul Mitchell with a $700 loan).
• Patrón Spirits Company (Co-founder & Former Owner): The premium tequila brand (sold to Bacardi in 2018 for $5.1 billion).
• Early Struggles: He experienced homelessness and lived in a 20-year-old Rolls-Royce while starting JPMS.
• Philanthropy: He is a major philanthropist and Giving Pledge signatory (committed to giving away more than half of his wealth to global causes).

John Paul DeJoria's strategic genius was his commitment to high quality, direct-to-professional marketing, and contrarian brand development. 1980: JPMS. He co-founded John Paul Mitchell Systems with hairdresser Paul Mitchell with a $700 loan, revolutionizing the hair care industry by selling directly to salons. 1989: Patrón. He co-founded Patrón Spirits Company with Martin Crowley, recognizing the potential for premium tequila.

The pinnacle of his financial career was the $5.1 billion sale of Patrón Spirits Company to Bacardi in 2018. His wealth is secured by the long-term, stable profitability of his hair care empire and the immense gains from the spirits sale. He is a Giving Pledge signatory, dedicating his wealth to global philanthropy, including supporting the Mendez Fuel Charitable Foundation (from a related search).

John Paul DeJoria is a major global philanthropist and Giving Pledge signatory. His structural social impact is tied to JPMS's role as a massive global employer and a founder of the professional hair care industry. His foundations support diverse causes, including environmental protection, children's welfare, and animal rescue.

His structural contribution is tied to his belief in resilience and using business success to drive social change (inspiring millions with his story of overcoming homelessness and poverty).

John Paul DeJoria maintains the professional, yet bohemian, style of a creative entrepreneur. His attire is consistently high-quality, often featuring bespoke suits. His aesthetic reflects his blend of Wall Street finance and Hollywood glamour, often sporting his signature long hair.

Residing in Austin, Texas, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to brand building, philanthropy, and the long-term stewardship of the JPMS empire.