U.S. Ambassador Tilman Fertitta aboard the Boardwalk superyacht docked near Rome, foregoing Villa Taverna as his official residence as renovations proceed (Reuters)
After being appointed US ambassador to Italy, Texas millionaire Tilman Fertitta was unhappy with his new official 7-acre home in Rome and lived on his superyacht for weeks. The Senate confirmed Fertitta's appointment as ambassador to Italy in April after Trump nominated the 68-year-old in December. After a "series" of renovations, the Houston Rockets owner finally moved into Villa Taverna, his official residence in Rome, on July 10.
He has made the decision to live on his 252-foot superyacht Boardwalk, which is anchored off the coast of Civitavecchia, according to the Italian daily newspaper Corriere. To the annoyance of the villagers, he commutes to his professional tasks on land via helicopter.
While the historic Roman villa was being renovated, the ambassador decided to live on his $150 million boat, according to a spokeswoman for his company, Fertitta Entertainment, who spoke to the Daily Mail.
As early as October 2023, ambassadorship status was granted to Fertitta. In an unusual turn of events, Fertitta decided not to take residence in Villa Taverna, Rome-a traditional ambassadorial residence-instead preferring to live for several weeks aboard his $150 million superyacht Boardwalk, said Hindustan Times. Fertitta cited renovation work at Villa Taverna-work he paid for himself-as a reason for not moving in. Marina officials and some observers in Rome say Italy's tightly controlled airspace, which forbid the helicopter from landing at the villa, also enabled further complications for the commuting plans.
The 77-meter yacht Boardwalk, built in 2021 by the Dutch shipyard Feadship, reflects Fertitta's riches and personality. The Texan millionaire, whose estimated net worth is $11 billion, doesn't skimp on comfort and flair.
The yacht at Civitavecchia is luxe-like a customized pool, spa, helipad and upper-crust guest accommodations-that much reflects Fertitta's personal taste and wealth. The yacht's helicopter-that's right: the tail number reflects his initials-took him to his official engagements, raising eyebrows among the elite and locals.
Very quickly, within a few days, the impact of these arrangements on diplomatic channels began to trickle in. Owing to his yacht setting, Italian authorities had to figure out aviation restrictions, secure maritime patrols, and coastal convoy security while also resolving the logistical nightmare presented by a non-embassy-based ambassadorial residence.
Boardwalk has a full-sized pool, a wine cellar, a sky lounge, a gym, and a beach club. It was created by De Voogt Naval Architects and decorated by Halffman Interiors. It can accommodate a crew of 22 and 14 guests and has a range of over 5,000 nautical miles.
Observers have described the yacht residence more as a theater than as a real base of operations; some critics would say this diminishes the stature of the U.S. Ambassador in Rome. The arrangement represents a businessman with an unrefined sensibility translating that sensibility into diplomacy-an emphasis on personal comforts above convention, commented analysis in Air Mail magazine.
Summit Fertitta was confirmed by an 83–14 vote in the Senate in April 2025, promising to serve with dignity and strength. He has Sicilian roots and promises to represent the U.S. with pride. Yet the choice of residence perhaps brings to light the friction between representation and personal branding.
