Vittorio Assaf Net Worth: The Man Behind Serafina’s Success
Have you ever thought of the earnings involving the owner of a famous restaurant? Vittorio Assaf is the face behind Serafina, a chain of Italian restaurants that is globally recognized. While he didn’t have it easy at the start, today, he is the living embodiment of ‘success meets perseverance.’ Vittorio Assaf net worth is a testament to how far he has come. In this blog, we will discuss how he developed his business empire and why his life will make you rethink your ambitions.
Who Is Vittorio Assaf?
Vittorio Assaf is an entrepreneur who was born in Italy. He is famously known for being the co-founder of the Serafina Restaurant Group, which is a chain of Italian restaurants located all over the world. He was raised in Milan, Italy, and developed a love for cooking at an early age, helping his grandmother prepare large family dinners when he was just four years old.
Education and Early Career
Assaf earned a degree in political science and law at the University of Urbino in Italy. In 1985, looking for greater prospects, he immigrated to New York City and made a foray into the fashion business by launching Café Candiotti. The restaurant was renowned for housing original exhibitions of Andy Warhol’s paintings, which made it an instant hit in the city.
How Vittorio Assaf Began His Journey in the Restaurant World
In 1994, Granato and Vittorio went on a sailing trip near New York. During the trip, their sail broke, leaving them stranded in the ocean. Starving and cold, they imagined starting a restaurant that serves premium Italian pizza and pasta and promised each other that they would make it happen if they were rescued.
Opening the First Serafina Restaurant
In 1995, they kept their promise and opened their first Serafina Fabulous Pizza restaurant on the Upper East Side of New York City.
They emphasized using high-quality ingredients to prepare authentic Italian dishes. The restaurant was an immediate hit on both a local and tourist level. The success was the first step toward building the Serafina Restaurant Group.
Growth and Success
Following their first restaurant’s success, Vittorio and Fabio went on to open many more Serafina locations throughout the USA and other countries. Their warm ambience and commitment to high standards drew in many customers. This growth greatly increased Vittorio Assaf net worth. Assaf’s net worth today is a result of years of dedication and devotion to offering Italian cuisine around the world.
Personal Life of Vittorio Assaf
Vittorio was married to former model Charlotte Bonstrom for over 20 years. Together, they have two children: a son named Vittorio Jr. and a daughter named Valentina. The family maintained residences in Manhattan’s Upper East Side and the Hamptons.
Separation and Charlotte’s New Relationship
In 2021, there were rumors that Charlotte started dating Thierry Gillier, the ex-husband of her twin sister, Cecilia Bostrom. This change prompted Charlotte and Vittorio to file for divorce. Vittorio commented on the situation, stating, “Charlotte and I are in the process of getting divorced—she wants to get remarried.”
Brief Relationship with Aoki Lee Simmons
Reports emerged linking Vittorio to 21-year-old model and Harvard alumna Aoki Lee Simmons, daughter of Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons, in April of 2024. The two were traveling together in St. Barts, where they were spotted canoodling. Their romance turned out to be very short and lasted only a handful of days. Aoki’s friend claims, “Not only is it over, it was never a thing.”
Vittorio Assaf Net Worth
Restaurant entrepreneur and co-founder of the Serafina Restaurant Group, Vittorio Assaf net worth stands somewhere between 50 and 500 million, depending on the source. For example, some said it was approximately 250 million, while some believed it could go as high as 500 million. Assaf’s varied estimates illustrate the complexity of establishing exact numbers for privately held individuals.
Sources of Wealth
Most of Assaf’s wealth originated from being part of the founding members of the Serafina Restaurant Group.
Serafina has been operating since 1995, expanding to over 46 locations worldwide, and serving authentic Italian cuisine. This aspect has helped him financially in remarkable ways.
Assets and Investments
Apart from the restaurant empire, Assaf seems to have developed wealth in different streams. He has expanded into other restaurant concepts such as Brasserie Cognac, Geisha, Farinella, Signor Ravioli, Tokugawa, Vino & Cucina, Serafina Akasaka, and Venezia. These have helped him further improve his finances.
Vittorio Assaf’s Social Media Presence
Vittorio Assaf can be found on Instagram under the handle @vittorioserafina. There he has more than 9,700 followers and slightly over 1,500 posts. His profile often includes:
- Restaurant Openings: Assaf tends to post about all the new Serafina locations. As an example, he posted eventful moments during the grand opening of Serafina in Aksaka, Tokyo, which was in March 2025.
- Behind the Scenes: He showcases the day-to-day operations and the food innovations of his restaurants, contributing to the brand heritage of Serafina.
- Personal Moments: Aside from his work, Assaf sometimes opens up about his life, enabling him to bond with his audience beyond the professional sphere.
Vittorio Assaf also has a Facebook account where he shares content that is almost the same as what he posts on Instagram. His updates feature restaurant happenings and new openings, such as the new Serafina in Akasaka.
Conclusion
Vittorio Assaf is known for his relentless dedication to building a brand out of his love for food. Starting with a small restaurant, he expanded Serafina into a global franchise. Vittorio Assaf net worth is a reflection of the man’s passion and hard work. This is a story of how one can achieve big dreams if one puts in the effort with heart.
