George Santo Pietro became famous when he married Vanna White, the beloved co-host of “Wheel of Fortune.” However, his life story goes far beyond this famous marriage. He built successful businesses, worked in Hollywood, and created his own path to success.
Personal Info
| Full Name | George Santo Pietro |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 12, 1946 |
| Age | 78 years old (as of 2024) |
| Birthplace | Beverly Hills, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Bi-racial (White and Native American) |
| Profession | Restaurateur, Real Estate Developer, Former Film Producer |
| Famous For | Ex-husband of Vanna White, Owner of Santopietro’s Restaurant |
| Children | Four (Andrea, Nicholas, Giovanna, Chiara) |
| Current Status | Married to Melissa Mascari (since 2005) |
Early Life and Background
George Santo Pietro was born on December 12, 1946, in Beverly Hills, California. He grew up as an only child with both White and Native American heritage. From a young age, George showed strong interest in movies and entertainment. Growing up in Beverly Hills gave him a close look at Hollywood life, and he attended film classes, hoping to make his mark in the industry.
Career in the Restaurant Business
George’s most successful venture was in restaurants. In the late 1970s, he opened “Santopietro’s” in Bel-Air, California. Located in a hidden strip mall near Mulholland Drive, it became a Hollywood favorite. The restaurant was famous for delicious Italian food and became a secret hangout where stars could enjoy great meals.
After Santopietro’s success, George opened “Sushi-Ko,” a sushi restaurant that also attracted high-profile customers and ran successfully for about ten years. Both restaurants helped George build strong connections and establish himself as a successful businessman.
Work in Hollywood
While running his restaurants, George worked as a camera technician, specifically as a “dolly grip” – moving cameras smoothly during filming. He worked on popular TV shows including “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “The X-Files,” “True Blood,” “The Good Place,” “The Big Bang Theory,” and “Two and a Half Men.” Over the years, he earned more than 70 credits in the camera and electricity department, including work on movies like “Interstellar.”
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Marriage to Vanna White
George met Vanna White in 1985 when friends brought her to his restaurant. Vanna was already famous as the letter-turner on “Wheel of Fortune” since 1982. They started dating and fell in love.
On December 31, 1990, George and Vanna married in Aspen, Colorado. George was 44, and Vanna was 33. In 1992, Vanna excitedly announced her pregnancy on “Wheel of Fortune.” Sadly, she had a miscarriage one week later. However, in June 1994, they welcomed son Nicholas “Nikko” Santo Pietro. In July 1997, daughter Giovanna “Gigi” Santo Pietro was born.
The marriage ended with separation in November 2001 and official divorce in May 2002 after 12 years together. Despite the divorce, they remained friendly and co-parented their children.
Life After Divorce
After divorcing Vanna White, George began dating Melissa Mascari, a television presenter. They married on October 8, 2005, and have a daughter named Chiara, born in 2007. George also has another daughter, Andrea Santo Pietro, from a previous relationship with Linda Evans (1981-1984), making him father to four children.
Real Estate Success
After success in restaurants and Hollywood, George turned to real estate development in Beverly Hills and other California areas. George and Vanna built a custom home in Beverly Park Estates in 1998. The 14,500-square-foot house had eight bedrooms, ten bathrooms, and luxury features like a wine cellar, home theater, gym, and private vineyard. It sold for $19.3 million.
George owned several expensive properties, including a 30,000-square-foot Beverly Hills mansion. Originally valued at $50 million, he sold it for $23.5 million.
His Children Today
George’s children have built their own lives. Son Nikko studied agriculture at Oregon State University and works in farm research and development in Los Angeles. He also learned cooking from his father. Daughter Gigi studied photography at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and works as a tattoo artist in Venice, California. George maintains close relationships with all his children.
Net Worth and Current Life
George Santo Pietro has built a comfortable life through various business ventures. His estimated net worth is around $14 million, earned through restaurants, Hollywood work, and real estate investments. Today, he lives quietly, continues working in real estate, and enjoys time with his wife Melissa and daughter Chiara.
Conclusion
George Santo Pietro’s story shows that success can come from many different directions. He started with dreams of working in Hollywood, built successful restaurants that attracted celebrities, worked behind the scenes on major TV shows, and eventually found success in real estate. While many people know him as Vanna White’s ex-husband, George has his own impressive story. His journey shows the value of hard work, adaptability, and taking chances. George Santo Pietro remains a respected figure in the Los Angeles business community, and his story reminds us that life has many chapters.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is George Santo Pietro?
George Santo Pietro is an American businessman, restaurateur, and former Hollywood camera technician. He is best known as the ex-husband of Vanna White.
2. How old is George Santo Pietro?
George was born on December 12, 1946, making him 78 years old as of 2024.
3. What restaurants did George Santo Pietro own?
He owned two famous restaurants: Santopietro’s (an Italian restaurant) and Sushi-Ko (a sushi restaurant), both located in Bel-Air, California.
4. How long was George Santo Pietro married to Vanna White?
George and Vanna were married for 12 years, from 1990 to 2002.
5. How many children does George Santo Pietro have?
George has four children: Andrea, Nicholas (Nikko), Giovanna (Gigi), and Chiara.
6. Is George Santo Pietro married now?
Yes, George is currently married to Melissa Mascari. They got married in 2005.
7. What TV shows did George Santo Pietro work on?
He worked as a camera technician on shows like “Beverly Hills 90210,” “The X-Files,” “True Blood,” “The Big Bang Theory,” and many others.
8. What is George Santo Pietro’s net worth?
His estimated net worth is around $14 million, earned through restaurants, real estate, and entertainment work.
9. Where does George Santo Pietro live now?
George lives in California, where he continues to work in real estate development.
10. What does George Santo Pietro’s son do?
His son Nikko works in farm research and development and is also skilled in cooking, having learned from his father.
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