Haircare legend John Paul DeJoria had a hard-scrabble childhood — but always felt rich on the American dream

Through July 4, The Post, in conjunction with the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, is featuring US citizens explaining what the American dream means to them in 2026 — including John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of the Paul Mitchell line of hair products and the Patrón Spirits Company.

My mother came over on a boat from Greece looking for the American dream. She was very, very young when she came here [and] they told her the streets would be paved in gold … she found out they weren’t when she got here.

She was married to my father — unfortunately, he turned out to be a deadbeat dad. By the time I was around five years old, my mother had some medical challenges. So, for about five years, my brother and I were in foster care in East LA. But we were some of the lucky ones because we got to see our mom on the weekend.

John Paul DeJoria is the co-founder of the Paul Mitchell line of hair products and the Patrón Spirits Company. He grew up with very little money in East LA. Milken Center

Unfortunately, others in the foster home weren’t in the same situation. No one ever visited them. My mom was so big[-hearted] that she would invite any kid who wanted to come with us on the holidays to come on over. We had a great mom. She would always tell my brother and I, “No matter what, you can do it, boys” … And, by gosh, we sure did.

We had no money, no money at all. But we didn’t know it. We didn’t have a television set, we didn’t have newspapers to read. [But] we thought we had everything. And my mom was the greatest mom. We went back home about when I was nine and a half years old.

She finally bought a little teeny house for us to live in. And, one weekend on a Friday, mom said, “Let’s put all of our money together. I’m gonna show you something.” We had 27 cents. I’ll never forget that. Between all of us together, we had 27 cents. And mom said to us, “Boys, what is rich? We’re very rich because we’re happy and we’re all healthy. We have 27 cents. But in our little teeny garden, we have vegetables growing. We have water. Our bills are paid up to date, and we have things. We’re gonna make it through the week and into next week.”

DeJoria and his wife, Eloise. Getty Images for Janie's Fund

The American Dream Video Project showcases real stories that illuminate pathways to opportunity. Featured at the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD), this series is part of the Center’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. MCAAD is Washington, DC’s newest cultural institution, offering interactive exhibits and stories about achieving the American Dream. For more information, visit mcaad.org.