Tilman Fertitta | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2025 | |
| 21stUnited States Ambassador to Italy and 6thSan Marino | |
| Assumed office May 6, 2025 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Jack Markell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Tilman Joseph Fertitta (1957-06-25)June 25, 1957 (age 68) Galveston, Texas, U.S. |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 5 |
| Relatives | Lorenzo Fertitta (cousin)[1] Frank Fertitta III (cousin)[1] Frank Fertitta Jr. (cousin) |
| Alma mater | Texas Tech University (no degree) University of Houston (no degree) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Owner ofLandry's, Inc. and theHouston Rockets Star ofBillion Dollar Buyer |
Tilman Joseph Fertitta (born June 25, 1957) is an American diplomat, businessman and television personality. He serves as theUnited States ambassador to Italy andSan Marino since May 2025. He is the owner of the entertainment companyLandry's[2] and theNational Basketball Association (NBA)'sHouston Rockets.[3][4] Fertitta was the chairman of the board of regents of theUniversity of Houston System from 2014 to 2025.[5]
As of May 2025, his net worth was estimated at $10.7 billion. He is placed at No. 248 on theForbes 400 list.[6]Forbes calls him the "World's Richest Restaurateur."[7]
Fertitta became the star ofBillion Dollar Buyer onCNBC. On September 5, 2017, Fertitta reached an agreement to buy theHouston Rockets for $2.2 billion.[8][9][10]
As of April 2025, Fertitta is the lead shareholder inWynn Resorts.[11]
Tilman Joseph Fertitta was born inGalveston, Texas,[12] on June 25, 1957.[13] He is ofSicilian descent.[14] His father, Vic, owned a seafood restaurant onGalveston Island, and after school, Tilman worked peeling shrimp in his father's restaurant.[15]
Fertitta attendedTexas Tech University and theUniversity of Houston, studyingbusiness administration andhospitality management but never graduated.[16] His first entrepreneurial experience involved selling and promotingShaklee vitamins.[17]
In the 1980s, Feritta bought Landry's inKaty, Texas from brothers Bill and Floyd Landry after being introduced by his cousin. The Landry brothers were from Lafayette and started the restaurant in the 1970s.
In the 1980s, Fertitta founded and ran a construction and development business, and developed his first major project, the Key Largo Hotel in Galveston.[18][19]
Fertitta was a partner in the first Landry's Restaurant,Landry's Seafood, which opened its doors in the Houston suburb ofKaty, Texas, in 1980.[20] A year later, he helped open Willie G's Seafood & Steaks, a more upscale restaurant inUptown Houston.[21]
In 1986, Fertitta gained controlling interests of both locations, and in 1988, became sole owner of Landry's Restaurants. In 1993, he took Landry's, Inc. public and the company grew quickly.[22]
In 1993, Landry's was valued at approximately $30 million.[23]
In 2004, Fertitta was elected to the Texas Business Hall of Fame, becoming the second-youngest Texan to ever earn that distinction, behind onlyMichael Dell.[24][25]
In 2010, Fertitta, who already owned the majority of Landry's, Inc. stock, purchased all outstanding shares, becoming sole owner again. By 2011, the company's value had skyrocketed to a value of more than $1.7 billion.[26]
The Landry's portfolio includes: TheGolden Nugget Hotel and Casinos;Morton's The Steakhouse;Rainforest Cafe;Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.;McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks;Saltgrass Steak House;Claim Jumper; Chart House; The Oceanaire; Mastro's Restaurants; Grotto Restaurants, The Boathouse Restaurants[27] and Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse.[28][29]
In 2017 Fertitta acquired half of EMM group, owner of the Catch Restaurants.[30] He is also the owner of the holding companyFertitta Entertainment.[31]
Fertitta first built the Key Largo Hotel inGalveston, Texas and then sold it in order to buy the rights to Landry's.[32] After acquiring restaurants under the company, Fertitta started focusing more on the hospitality division of Landry's and acquired the San Luis Resort, Spa, & Conference Center inGalveston, Texas. He also partnered with the City of Galveston to build the conference center in 2004 inside the resort. Fertitta since acquired two additional hotels on the island, including the Holiday Inn On the Beach in 2003, and the Hilton Galveston Island Resort in 2004, which stands adjacent to his San Luis Resort. In 2015, Fertitta added the Villas at San Luis section of the hotel, which consists of ultra-luxury villas with direct access to both the beach and the hotel's pool.[33][34] In June 2022, he was recognized by the International Hospitality Institute on the Global 100 in Hospitality, on a list featuring the 100 Most Powerful People in Global Hospitality.[35] In 2018, Fertitta opened The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston, introducing a new level of luxury to Houston. The Post Oak Hotel quickly became the city's only Forbes Five-Star Hotel and Spa.[36] In 2022 Fertitta acquired The Montage Laguna Beach for approximately $650 million.[37]
Landry's first expanded to casinos in 2005 when it bought Golden Nugget Casinos, including locations inLas Vegas andLaughlin,Nevada.[38] Since then, Landry's has opened casinos inAtlantic City,New Jersey;Biloxi, Mississippi; andLake Charles,Louisiana. The Golden Nugget Atlantic City was previously called the Trump Marina. Fertitta purchased this casino fromTrump Entertainment Resorts in 2011.[39]
The Golden Nugget Lake Charles was bought after Fertitta found a license and resort land for sale fromPinnacle Entertainment, which owns the adjacentL'Auberge du Lac Resort. Fertitta stated he built the casino with the idea of having a casino in close proximity to his Houston hometown. After the first year proved the casino was successful, a new 300 room tower began construction on the property.[40]
In November 2024, Fertitta became the largest stockholder at the prominent Las VegasWynn Resorts after acquiring 9.9% of the company.[41] In April 2025, Fertitta managed to increase his stake at Wynn Resorts after acquiring 12.3% of the company.[42][43][11]
In addition to restaurants, hotels, and casinos, Landry's also owns amusement parks, aquariums, and theKemah Boardwalk. Landry's, Inc. first acquired the Kemah Boardwalk in 1999. After acquiring the boardwalk, Fertitta added a few Landry's restaurants, and a few rides. In 2007, he added theBoardwalk Bullet which is a high speed wooden roller coaster. He also added the Boardwalk FantaSea,[44] which is a luxury yacht cruise service where guests ride along theGalveston Bay.
Themarina on the boardwalk has a large concentration of boats and yachts in the Greater Houston area. The boardwalk also includes an aquarium, which is under the same Landry's line of aquarium restaurants with locations in Houston,Denver, andNashville.Travel + Leisure magazine named the Kemah boardwalk a top 10American boardwalk.[45][46][47]
Fertitta redeveloped thepleasure pier inGalveston, Texas, after the pier had closed after damages byHurricane Ike. The pier reopened in 2012 as theGalveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. The redeveloped pier includes an amusement park,Bubba Gump Shrimp Company restaurant, as well as shops.
On September 4, 2017, he agreed to purchase the Rockets fromLeslie Alexander, pending league approval, for an NBA record $2.2 billion.[48] On October 6, 2017, Fertitta was approved by theNBA to own the Houston Rockets.[4] Fertitta paid for the Rockets by selling $1.415 billion worth of bonds and was competing with Houston-native singerBeyonce Knowles to purchase the team.[49] By buying the Houston Rockets he also became the owner ofClutch Gaming, a professionaleSports organization focused onLeague of Legends.[50]
During the process of building theHouston Texans as anNFL team, Fertitta was one of the original investors in creating the franchise. He was a partner of Texans ownerBob McNair until 2008 when he had to sell his interest in the franchise because he owns theGolden Nugget casino chain (a Landry's subsidiary) and NFL rules state any staff member of a team cannot be associated with gambling. Both Fertitta and McNair were disappointed, as Fertitta was part of the franchise since its establishment.[51]
In 2003, Fertitta bought the naming rights to theCrawford Boxes seating section ofDaikin Park, calling it "Landry's Crawford Boxes". The term has become a commercial moniker during radio and television broadcasts. A Landry's sign is placed above the section, along with many of the company's subsidiaries. Traditionally, when a fan catches ahome run, they are awarded a gift certificate to one of Landry's restaurants. Landry's promoters often visit the section and give away items such asT-shirts.[52]
After Fertitta bought the Rockets and Toyota Center in 2017, he expressed interest in an expansion team or relocating anNHL team to Houston, with both options most likely playing atToyota Center. In 2018, he held preliminary talks with commissionerGary Bettman to discuss ownership of a team. It was speculated he was working on a deal to purchase theArizona Coyotes prior to their deactivation in 2024. Fertitta has continually stated his interest in owning a hockey team and believes that one would boost the economy of downtown Houston. In September 2024, it was reported by Andy Strickland that for the upcoming board of governors meeting regarding expansion, Houston was one of the leading candidates for expansion, with Fertitta's bid being the frontrunner for the city.[53][54][55]
In 2024, Fertitta expressed interest in bringing back aWNBA franchise to Houston, which would be their second team since theHouston Comets folded in 2008.[56]
As of 11 July 2025, Fertitta was reported to be seeking to acquire EnglishEFL Championship clubSheffield Wednesday from ownerDejphon Chansiri, who has faced sustained criticism from supporters.[57][58][59] The club, which competes in the second tier of English football, has experienced significant financial distress in 2025, including repeated failures to pay players and staff.[60] These issues have resulted in sanctions from football authorities, including a transfer embargo extending to at least 2027 and restrictions on player wages, measures expected to remain in place regardless of any ownership change.[61]
Several potential buyers have been linked to the club in media reports, and negotiations have been marked by public disputes over valuation and process.[62] According to multiple English sports journalists, Fertitta is believed to be the only bidder to have had an offer accepted and to have entered advanced negotiations, though the outcome remains uncertain.[63][64]
Fertitta partnered withRichard Handler and announced aspecial-purpose acquisition company called Landcadia, a portmanteau of Fertitta'sLandry's and Handler'sLeucadia. The company plans to raise as much as $300 million ininitial public offering.[65]
On May 16, 2018, Fertitta announced that Landcadia would acquireWaitr.[66]
On March 1, 2024, it was reported that Fertitta had purchased theRiver Oaks District, one of Houston's most prominent mixed-use developments, for $450 million.[67]
On October 4, 2019, the Houston Rockets general managerDaryl Morey issued a tweet that supportedthe 2019–20 Hong Kong protests which drew criticism from Fertitta who said that while Morey was the best general manager in the NBA, the Rockets were not a political organization.[68][69][70] Morey later deleted the tweet.[69][71]
In April 2020, GovernorGreg Abbott named Fertitta to the Strike Force to Open Texas – a group "tasked with finding safe and effective ways to slowly reopen the state" during theCOVID-19 pandemic.[72]
Fertitta is known to support political leaders in both the Republican and Democratic parties. In particular, Fertitta has been a supporter of both Bill Clinton and the Bush family.[73][74] Together with his spouse, Fertitta contributed $140,000 toDonald Trump's2020 presidential campaign and $5,600 toJoe Biden's2020 presidential campaign.[75] He also funded the reelection campaign for many state Republicans in 2022, notably donating over $1.1 million toGreg Abbott.[76]
Mark Kelly, a Democrat and current United States Senator from Arizona, is considered to be a very close friend of Fertitta, according to theSan Francisco Chronicle.[77]
On December 21, 2024, President-electDonald Trump announced the nomination of Fertitta to serve as the United States ambassador to Italy and San Marino.[78] The United States Senate confirmed Fertitta's nomination on April 29, 2025 in a 83–14 vote.[79] He presented his credentials to Italian PresidentSergio Mattarella on May 6, 2025.[80]
On January 12, 2016, it was announced that Fertitta would star in his ownrealityTV show titledBillion Dollar Buyer onCNBC.[81] Billion Dollar Buyer premiered on March 22, 2016, at 10 P.M. Eastern Time. After the first season was successful, a second season was announced, featuring more episodes.[82]
On September 17, 2019, Fertitta released a book,Shut Up and Listen! Hard Business Truths That Will Help You Succeed, in which he details his journey to success and offers advice to other entrepreneurs on their business ventures.[83][84]
In 1991 Fertitta married Paige Farwell with whom he has four children,[85] a daughter and three sons.[86] Fertitta is now married to Houston attorney Lauren Ware.[87]
He is second-cousin to formerUFC ownersLorenzo andFrank Fertitta.[1] An avid sports fan, Fertitta is a vocal supporter of theUniversity of HoustonCougars and can be seen at most Cougarfootball andmen's basketball games as well as court side for Houston Rockets basketball games. In 2016, Fertitta donated $20 million to rebuild the University of Houston's basketball home of Hofheinz Pavilion, since renamedFertitta Center, along with donations for the construction ofTDECU Stadium.[88]
Fertitta is a close friend of retired NASA astronaut and Arizona senatorMark Kelly, and his wife, former Arizona congresswomanGabby Giffords.[89]
Fertitta is chairman of the board of the Houston Children's Charity.[90] In 2009, Texas Governor Rick Perry appointed Fertitta to the board of regents of theUniversity of Houston System.[91] In 2008, Fertitta was named chairperson of the Houston Police Department's Police Foundation, supplying gear and equipment for Houston Police Officers.[92][93][94][95] He is on the executive committee for theHouston Livestock Show and Rodeo.[96][97] He is a board member of theTexas Heart Institute, theMuseum of Fine Arts, Houston, and theGreater Houston Partnership.[98][99]
In May 2022, TheUniversity of Houston College of Medicine received a $50 million pledge from Fertitta and the school was renamed the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine.[100]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)| Business positions | ||
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| Preceded by | Owner of theHouston Rockets 2017–present | Incumbent |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by | United States Ambassador to Italy 2025–present | Incumbent |
| United States Ambassador to San Marino 2025–present | ||
Current United States ambassadors to the member states of theEuropean Union | ||
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∗ denotes acting. | ||
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| Minister Resident | |
| Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary | |
| Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary | |
| Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary | |
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