Meet Tilman Fertitta: the billionaire Donald Trump calls his ‘twin’, his pick for US ambassador to Italy, owner of NBA team Houston Rockets, reality TV star – and legendary Mardi Gras party-thrower
Fertitta, also known for his restaurant and casino ventures, is a Trump confidant and a prominent Republican donor – and the face of TV show Billion Dollar Buyer
When making the announcement, Trump applauded Fertitta’s work ethic, calling him an “accomplished businessman, who has founded and built one of our country’s premier entertainment and real estate companies, employing approximately 50,000 Americans”.
With so many similarities between the two, it’s no surprise Trump has referred to Fertitta as his “twin”.
Meet the man who will represent America in Italy.
Tilman Fertitta is a billionaire
Per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Fertitta has an estimated net worth of US$15.2 billion. He is the chairman and chief executive of Fertitta Entertainment and the owner of Landry’s seafood restaurant chain and of Golden Nugget casinos.
In 2017 he bought NBA team the Houston Rockets for US$2.2 billion, reports Bloomberg. Fertitta has also amassed an extensive real estate portfolio, with The Hill reporting he owns more than 600 properties in 36 states and more than 15 countries.
He’s a known Republican supporter
The Hill reports that Fertitta is a staunch Republican supporter, donating to candidates and party events every election. When Trump made the announcement about Fertitta’s proposed role, he said he had a “history of giving back to the community through numerous philanthropic initiatives, which include children’s charities, law enforcement and the medical community”.