Tilman Fertitta
Tilman Fertitta | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2025 | |
| United States Ambassador to Italy and San Marino | |
| Assumed office May 6, 2025 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Jack Markell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Tilman Joseph Fertitta June 25, 1957 Galveston, Texas, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | Paige Farwell
(m. 1991, divorced)
|
| Children | 5 |
| Relatives | Lorenzo Fertitta (cousin) Frank Fertitta III (cousin) Frank Fertitta Jr. (cousin) |
| Alma mater | Texas Tech University (no degree) University of Houston (no degree) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Owner of Landry's, Inc. and the Houston Rockets Star of Billion Dollar Buyer |
Tilman Joseph Fertitta (born June 25, 1957) is an American businessman, television personality and politician. He has been the United States ambassador to Italy and San Marino since May 2025. He is the chairman, CEO, and owner of Landry's, Inc.[1][2] He also owns the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s Houston Rockets.[3][4]
Career
His net worth was estimated at $10.7 billion. He is placed at No. 248 on the Forbes 400 list.[5] Forbes calls him the "World's Richest Restaurateur.”[6]
Fertitta appeared on the reality television series Billion Dollar Buyer on CNBC.[7][8][9] Fertitta has been the chairman of the board of regents of the University of Houston System since 2009.[10]
U.S. Ambassador to Italy
In December 2024, then President-elect Donald Trump announced his plans to nominate Fertitta as the United States ambassador to Italy and San Marino.[11] The United States Senate confirmed Fertitta's nomination on April 29, 2025 in a 83–14 vote.[12] He presented his credentials to President Sergio Mattarella on May 6, 2025.[13]
References
- ↑ "Welcome to Forbes". Forbes.com. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
- ↑ Valiant Media. "Landry's Inc. - The Leader in Dining, Hospitality and Entertainment". LandrysInc.com. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
- ↑ "TILMAN J. FERTITTA NEW OWNER OF THE HOUSTON ROCKETS". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. October 6, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ↑ "It's official: Tilman Fertitta owns the Rockets". chron.com. October 6, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- ↑ "Forbes profile: Tilman Fertitta". Forbes.
- ↑ "The World's Richest Restaurateur Has A Secret: It's Not About The Food - Forbes". Forbes.com. August 23, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
- ↑ "Tilman J. Fertitta to Acquire NBA Houston Rockets". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. September 5, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ↑ "Report: Billionaire Tilman Fertitta set to buy Houston Rockets". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
- ↑ "Source: Fertitta buys Rockets for record $2.2B". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
- ↑ "University of Houston System". uhsa.UH.edu. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
- ↑ "Trump picks billionaire Landry's chairman as Italy ambassador". Reuters. 21 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
- ↑ Wilson, Katharine (2025-04-29). "Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta confirmed as Trump's ambassador to Italy". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
- ↑ "Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta". U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Italy. May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 7, 2025.