About Carl DeSantis
Carl DeSantis is an “only in America” success story.
Born in Massachusetts and raised in Miami Beach, Mr. DeSantis has been a lifelong entrepreneur with a natural flair for business and marketing. After becoming one of the youngest store managers in Walgreen’s history, he launched Sundown Vitamins in his garage building it from a mail order company into the world’s largest vitamin manufacturer.
The company would later become Rexall Sundown and growing into a NASDAQ standout and Fortune 100 company because of Carl’s leadership and team building skills. Rexall Sundown was an industry colossus doing business with the world’s biggest retailers and pioneering best-selling products ranging from a full line of fine vitamins to multi-billion-dollar seller Osteo-Biflex many of which are still on the market selling briskly.
In 2000, Royal Numico purchased Rexall Sundown for $1.8 billion. While that might have been a capstone for many careers, it was merely a chapter in Carl’s life. He immediately began to invest in and pioneer a series of companies while also continuing to indulge his passion for philanthropy. Among his notable investments: Celsius, a publicly traded global fitness drink and powder, Tabañero, an award-winning hot sauce, Kwandwe, an eco-tourist resort in South Africa and landmark real estate projects throughout South Florida.
We mourn the loss of our founder, mentor, and friend Carl DeSantis on Aug 10.
Mr. D was an amazing man, who lived an incredible and magical life. He was a talented entrepreneur, generous philanthropist and most importantly a kind and gentle person. We look forward to extending his legacy by supporting our community. His spirit and generosity will live on forever.
Carl DeSantis Funeral Mass