Billionaire businessman and philanthropist Tilman J. Fertitta has been nominated as the next U.S. Ambassador to Italy. Born in Galveston, Texas, Fertitta is owner of the Houston Rockets, and chairman, president, and CEO of Landry’s Inc.
Fertitta has built a hospitality empire through Landry’s Inc., operator of more than 600 properties, including restaurants, casinos, and hotels, across 36 states and more than 15 countries. His business ventures include well-known brands, such as the Golden Nugget Casinos and Hotels, and he is often referred to as “the world’s richest restaurateur.” Forbes magazine recently estimated his net worth at $10 billion, ranking him among the wealthiest individuals in the United States.
Fertitta’s Italian roots derive from his great-great-uncles, Sicilian immigrant who settled in Galveston, where they owned a night club. His father, Vic, operated a seafood restaurant, where Fertitta often peeled shrimp after school. His Sicilian lineage provides him with a connection to the country he may soon represent.
After high school, Fertitta studied business and hotel management at Texas Tech University and the University of Houston, but dropped out before graduation. His first job was marketing Shaklee Vitamins, after which he founded his own construction and development company.
He purchased Landry’s Restaurants in 1988 and quickly built up his portfolio Today, it includes Morton’s Steakhouse, McCormick & Schmick’s, among many others. He owns a number of large hotels and resorts in Galveston, as well as casinos in Nevada, Atlantic City, Mississippi and Louisiana. In 2011, he purchased the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City, formerly the Trump Marina.
Fertitta is also a philanthropist. He has contributed to any charities, that benefit children, law enforcement, and the medical community. Fertitta’s nomination was announced by President Donald Trump on a social media post in which he expressed his admiration for the businessman. Fertitta responded, “It is an honor to be nominated to serve my country as ambassador to Italy and I look forward to the process ahead. Italy is such an extraordinary country with its wonderful people, culture, and history and its strategic importance to the U.S.”
Fertitta’s nomination comes as the United States is seeking to strengthen its relationship with Italy, particularly under the leadership of conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Both President Trump and his close adviser, billionaire Elon Musk, have expressed admiration for Meloni, whom they describe as a “fantastic leader and person.”
In his written testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing held on April 1, he said: “The bond between our two countries is as strong as ever. The country is led by a phenomenal Prime Minister in Giorgia Meloni. More than 2,500 American companies do business in Italy on a daily basis, making Italy a key
economically. And the military and defense support we’ve received from the Italians over the decades has made
Italy a key strategic ally. If confirmed by members of this Committee and the full Senate — Undertaking this responsibility of being an ambassador at this crucial moment in history will be the most important job of my life.
You have my commitment – and America has my commitment – to always represent the United
States, and President Trump, with dignity, pride, friendship, and strength, and I hope I can earn your
support today.”
Fertitta awaits confirmation by the U.S. Senate. If confirmed, he succeeds Ambassador Jack Markell, a former Delaware governor. In the interim, Fertitta’s super-yacht “Boardwalk” was last seen docked in the marina in Southwest D.C.
