United States Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle and United States Ambassador to Italy and San Marino Tillman Fertitta co-hosted a gala in Corfu for the 250th anniversary of American independence. The event, titled Freedom 250 - Reception Aboard the Boardwalk in Corfu, took place on Thursday evening aboard Fertitta's superyacht.
Guests included leaders from political, military, and business sectors, alongside public figures. Attendees exchanged views in a friendly and festive setting that highlighted long-standing ties of friendship and cooperation between the United States and countries across the region.
Prominent business figures attended the event, including George Prokopiou and Dakis Joannou with his wife Lietta. Expatriate businessmen John Koudounis and Yiannis Siani also joined the reception, along with Panos Xenokostas.
International strategy analyst Marco Vicenzino, who serves as an advisor to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, was also on the guest list.
Superyacht Features and Amenities
The reception took place on the Boardwalk, a 117-meter superyacht valued at $450 million. The vessel is the sixth ship in Fertitta's fleet to carry the Boardwalk name.
Guests toured the vessel, which features a helipad, swimming pools, a spa, a gym, a golf course, and a room built for diving equipment. The long blades of an Airbus H130 helicopter are visible on the top deck.
The yacht serves as Fertitta's temporary residence, transport, and venue for official meetings. Its interior design was inspired by the five-diamond Post Oak Hotel in Uptown Houston, which is often ranked as the top hotel in Texas.
Fertitta has hosted several anniversary celebrations for the 250th year of American independence on the vessel in recent weeks, holding events in Corfu and locations across Italy.
Tillman Fertitta Background and Career
Donald Trump appointed Fertitta as United States Ambassador to Italy and San Marino in May 2025, praising him as an accomplished businessman and philanthropist. Born in Galveston, Texas, Fertitta has Italian roots in Sicily, where his grandparents emigrated to the United States from Cefalù.
Fertitta began working at a young age before building a major business empire in the United States. He is the owner of Houston-based Fertitta Entertainment and serves as chairman and chief executive officer of Landry's.
His business portfolio includes Golden Nugget casinos, luxury car dealerships, hotels, and the Houston Rockets basketball team. He also owns restaurants including Mastro's Steakhouse and Catch Steak.
Forbes estimates Fertitta's net worth at nearly $11 billion. He is a member of Donald Trump's inner circle, has provided financial support in past political campaigns, and previously starred in a CNBC business reality television show.
