Jaydev Patel, Most Successful Agent Ever, Honored By New York Life With Statue

India-West Staff Reporter

NEW YORK, NY – In recognition of Jaydev Patel’s extraordinary career, New York Life has unveiled a statue commemorating him as the most successful agent in the company’s history. The statue, placed in a terrace garden adjacent to the Jaydev R. Patel Conference Center at New York Life’s Home Office, celebrates his lasting contributions over more than 50 years with the company. The conference center, a state-of-the-art collaboration space, was dedicated to Patel last October in honor of his five decades of service.

“The statue’s placement, seated on a bench, will allow anyone visiting the conference center to take a photograph with Jay, which is fitting given the many agents and advisors across the country that he has inspired and mentored during his long career,” said Mark Madgett, executive vice president and co-head of New York Life’s Foundational Business.

Throughout his career, Patel has consistently demonstrated excellence, qualifying for New York Life’s prestigious Chairman’s Cabinet, an elite group of the company’s top 50 agents, every year since its inception. In 1983, just a decade into his career, Patel earned the coveted title of New York Life council president, the company’s highest agent honor. Additionally, he has been a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table, the global benchmark for excellence in the life insurance industry.

Despite his remarkable achievements, Patel measures his success not by awards but by the lives he has touched. “I personally think there is no other profession, if practiced with integrity and compassion, that provides as much personal satisfaction,” said Patel. “I truly enjoy my work. No matter how many hours I’ve put in over the years, they’ve never been the same as hours spent working for someone else. The greatest blessings of this business are the opportunities to serve and make meaningful impact, while also controlling one’s own destiny.”

Beyond his professional success, Patel has committed to philanthropy, overseeing the renovation of three schools, including two high schools and a primary school, in his hometown of Sojitra, India. His personal achievements have inspired many to follow in his footsteps, furthering New York Life’s investment in cultural markets—a key area of growth for the company.

Born in Sojitra, Gujarat, India in 1942, Patel lived in Kenya and Canada before immigrating to the United States in 1968. Struggling to find work as a chemist, Patel, newly married and seeking stability, turned to New York Life, signing his contract on September 21, 1973—the same day his son Sachin was born. His first policy was written for his newborn son.

Patel’s talent was immediately evident. In his first month, he sold 50 policies, totaling $1 million in coverage, and by the end of his first year, he had protected 158 lives, generating $4 million in death benefits. “After that first month,” Patel recalled, “I realized I had the ability to sell. Knowing that kept me going.” He has since built a client base of over 5,000 people across 30 states and continues to extend his streaks of qualifying for the Million Dollar Round Table and Top of the Table honors.

Reflecting on his career, Patel shared his philosophy: “You can’t buy credibility. You have to earn it by being scrupulously honest, by working on your clients’ behalf, and by being concerned about their financial problems. Once you’ve earned that trust, they will listen to your recommendations.”

Patel’s legacy is not only his own success but also the family business he has cultivated. His son, Sachin, is a Chairman’s Council agent, while his daughter, Seema, manages his operations in Livingston, NJ.