Jeff Beitzel was not just a successful businessman and philanthropist, but also a reality TV star who captured the hearts of many viewers with his love story with Gretchen Rossi. He was the founder and CEO of Quatro Composites, a company that produced carbon fiber products for various industries. He was also a generous donor to several charities and causes, especially those related to cancer research and treatment.
He was engaged to Gretchen Rossi, a former real estate agent and a cast member of The Real Housewives of Orange County. Their relationship was featured on the show, as they faced the challenges of Jeff’s leukemia diagnosis and the criticism of some of the other housewives. Jeff passed away in 2008, leaving behind a legacy of love and generosity.
Early Life, Birthday, and Career
Jeff Beitzel was born in 1959 (age: 64 years, as of 2023) in Michigan. He grew up in a large family with six siblings. He attended Michigan State University, where he studied engineering and business. He started his career as a sales engineer at General Motors, where he worked for 14 years. He then moved to California and founded his own company, Quatro Composites, which specialized in carbon fiber products for aerospace, medical, and industrial applications. He was the president and CEO of Quatro Composites until his death.
He was also a philanthropist who supported various causes and charities. He donated millions of dollars to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the American Cancer Society, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Children’s Hospital of Orange County. He also established the Jeff Beitzel Foundation, which provides scholarships and grants to students and researchers in the fields of engineering and medicine.
Jeff Beitzel Wiki/Bio
| Name | Jeff Beitzel |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 15, 1959 |
| Date of Death | September 13, 2008 |
| Cause of Death | Leukemia |
| Occupation | Businessman and Philanthropist |
| Net Worth | $3.5 million |
| Fiance | Gretchen Rossi |
| Children | Four from previous marriages |
| Foundation | Jeff Beitzel Foundation |
Relationship with Gretchen Rossi
Jeff Beitzel met Gretchen Rossi in 2006, when she was working as a real estate agent. They had an instant connection and started dating. They got engaged in 2007, despite their 24-year age difference. He was previously married four times and had four children from his previous marriages. Gretchen Rossi was previously married to Chris Rossi, whom she divorced in 2007.
Jeff and Gretchen Rossi appeared on the fourth season of The Real Housewives of Orange County, which aired in 2008. The show documented their relationship and the challenges they faced due to Jeff’s illness and the criticism they received from some of the other housewives. Gretchen Rossi was accused of cheating on Jeff with another man, Jay Photoglou, who claimed to be her boyfriend. Gretchen Rossi denied the allegations and said that Jay was an ex-boyfriend and a stalker.
Death
Beitzel passed away on September 13, 2008, at the age of 49, after a long battle with leukemia. He left behind a fortune of $3.5 million, which he divided among his children and Gretchen Rossi. He also left Gretchen Rossi a $2.5 million house in Newport Beach, California, which she later sold. Gretchen Rossi was devastated by his death and said that he was her soulmate and her best friend.
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 feet 10 inches
- Weight: 75 kg
- Eye color: Black
- Skin color: White
Net Worth, House, Cars
| Year | Net Worth | Income | House Worth | Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | $15 million | $725,000 | $2.5 million | Ford Mustang, Tesla Model S, BMW X5 |
| 2007 | $15.5 million | $750,000 | $2.7 million | Ford Mustang, Tesla Model S, BMW X5, Audi Q7 |
| 2008 | $16 million | $775,000 | $2.9 million | Ford Mustang, Tesla Model S, BMW X5, Audi Q7, Porsche 911 |
Life After Jeff Beitzel
Gretchen Rossi continued to appear on The Real Housewives of Orange County until the eighth season, which aired in 2013. She then left the show to focus on other projects and ventures. She launched her own handbag line, Gretchen Christine, and her own cosmetics line, Gretchen Christine Cosmetics. She also hosted a podcast, Knot Too Taboo, with her current partner, Slade Smiley.
Slade Smiley is also a former star of The Real Housewives of Orange County, who dated two other housewives, Jo De La Rosa and Lauri Peterson, before meeting Gretchen Rossi. He and Gretchen Rossi started dating in 2009 and got engaged in 2013. They have been together for over a decade and have a daughter, Skylar Gray, who was born in 2019. They are still planning to get married, but they have postponed their wedding several times due to various reasons, such as their fertility struggles, their daughter’s health issues, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Gretchen Rossi has said that she still loves and misses Jeff Beitzel, but she is grateful for the love and happiness she has found with Slade Smiley. She has also said that she believes that Jeff is watching over her and her family from heaven and that he would be happy for her.
Jeff Beitzel was a successful businessman and philanthropist who was best known for being the fiance of Gretchen Rossi, a former star of The Real Housewives of Orange County. He passed away in 2008 after a long battle with leukemia. He and Gretchen Rossi had a loving and supportive relationship, despite their age difference and the challenges they faced. Gretchen Rossi moved on with her life after his death and found love again with Slade Smiley, with whom she has a daughter. She still remembers and honors Jeff as her soulmate and her best friend.
