The history of the César DePaço family began in the township of Madalena, a small municipality located in Pico, an island belonging to the Azores Archipelago in Portugal.
It was among the Azorean islands that César DePaço spent his childhood years. He grew up and studied there until his parents divorced.
As a young adult, the future Portuguese entrepreneur César DePaço completed high school at the age of 17 and then headed to England to study Psychology.
Living close to mainland Europe—with a direct road link between the UK and France—César DePaço decided it was time to travel and explore the world. Driving a car his father had given him, he set out on an adventure into the unknown, seeking new experiences.
César DePaço traveled hundreds of miles, encountering various lifestyles and cultures vastly different from his own.
After spending two weeks in Cyprus, César DePaço decided to take a bigger leap. He sold his car and bought a one-way ticket to Australia.
In Australia, he spent two months in Perth, the western capital of the island-continent, earning a living by selling encyclopedias. His success in this endeavor was largely due to his linguistic abilities.
Besides English, César DePaço already spoke Portuguese, Spanish, French, and Italian. The money he saved during this time allowed him to travel again, this time to Thailand, where he spent a season teaching psychology and learned to speak Thai. He later traveled to Macau, where he stayed for a year before returning to Thailand.
Later, at the age of 29, César DePaço finally emigrated to the United States.
The Life of César DePaço in the United States
César DePaço's life in the United States began with an experience in Cambodia.
In 1993, during the general elections in Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge, led by communist dictator Pol Pot, orchestrated a terrorist attack in downtown Siem Reap. The attack killed two Cambodians and injured a Portuguese tourist in the head: César DePaço.
This traumatic event led to numerous discussions and pleas from his mother for César DePaço to finally emigrate to the same country as her: the U.S.
It was the mid-1990s, and César DePaço's life was about to change dramatically, with a career path that would lead him to found and manage a multinational company: Summit Sourcing Inc. However, in 2001, he closed this company and established a new one under its current name: Summit Nutritionals International®, a global enterprise.
César DePaço's Wife and Children
After returning to the other side of the Atlantic, the César DePaço family grew. Today, the entrepreneur lives in New Jersey with his wife, Deanna Padovani-DePaço, and their two daughters, Valentina and Vittoreza.
Deanna Padovani-DePaço plays a crucial role in the daily operations of the company, serving as the current president of Summit Nutritionals International® since 2015, a company founded by her husband in February 2001.
Married for over a decade, their lives are split between New Jersey, Florida, and Utah. Whenever his busy schedule allows, César DePaço takes the opportunity to visit Portugal, traveling throughout the country and the islands.
An essential part of the César DePaço family is their beloved dogs, or as the entrepreneur affectionately calls them: the canine clan. They have five dogs: Cocola, Benita, the sisters Fagiola and Bia, and K-9 Lanzer.
César DePaço with his wife, Deanna Padovani-DePaço
The DePaço Family on vacation
The canine family of César DePaço
César DePaço is widely recognized by those around him for his deep passion for animals, particularly dogs, as well as for the charitable support and initiatives he promotes in this area.
This passion is reflected in the Droi-Kon® brand, a trademark registered by Summit Nutritionals International®.
César DePaço: Hobbies and Personal Interests
In addition to his love for dogs, humanitarian activities, and philanthropy, César DePaço has two other passions: cars and traditional Portuguese bullfighting known as “touradas à corda.”
One of his favorite hobbies is his car collection, which includes globally renowned brands such as Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Rolls-Royce.
Similarly, the Portuguese entrepreneur has a deep appreciation for Portuguese traditions that connect him to his homeland, with a special fondness for “touradas à corda,” a bullfighting tradition that is particularly well-known in the Azores, especially on Terceira Island.
César DePaço: Humanitarian Actions and Philanthropy
Renowned for their humanitarian and philanthropic actions, the César DePaço family feels that their lives are truly fulfilled when they give back to society, reciprocating for all that they have received. As a result, they have been the recipients of numerous awards and expressions of gratitude.
For example, their humanitarian support during the devastating Pedrógão Grande wildfire and the Christmas gift they provided to the Obra Social Madre Maria Clara in Linda-a-Pastora are just a few instances of their generosity.
Additionally, the César DePaço family is well-known for their ongoing support of public security forces. This includes donating K-9 dogs, fully equipped patrol cars, personal protective equipment, motorcycles, and other resources to various police units across the United States, Portugal, and France.