Tilman Fertitta

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. He also owns the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s Houston Rockets. 

Career
His net worth was estimated at $10.7 billion. He is placed at No. 248 on the Forbes 400 list. Forbes calls him the "World's Richest Restaurateur.”

Fertitta appeared on the reality television series Billion Dollar Buyer on CNBC. Fertitta has been the chairman of the board of regents of the University of Houston System since 2009.

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. The United States Senate confirmed Fertitta's nomination on April 29, 2025 in a 83–14 vote. He presented his credentials to President Sergio Mattarella on May 6, 2025.

References

Other websites
 Landrys official website

Category:1957 births
Category:Living people
Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Italy
Category:Television personalities from Texas
Category:Businesspeople from Houston
Category:Politicians from Houston
Category:People from Galveston, Texas
Category:American billionaires
Category:American chief executives
Category:Philanthropists from Texas