Who Is George Santo Pietro? Meet Vanna White’s Ex-Husband and Real Estate Tycoon

You may not hear his name every day, but George Santo Pietro has lived a life that many people dream of. Most people first heard of him as the man married to Wheel of Fortune star Vanna White. But George is much more than just someone’s ex-husband.

He’s a smart businessman, a successful real estate developer, and someone who once ran restaurants that Hollywood stars loved to visit. In this article, we’ll take a friendly walk through George’s life — from his early days in Beverly Hills to building million-dollar homes and raising a beautiful family.

Let’s get to know the real George Santo Pietro.

George Santo Pietro Quick Bio

Early Life of George Santo Pietro

George Santo Pietro was born on December 12, 1946, in Beverly Hills, California. He was an only child and grew up in a nice, loving home. His family supported his interests, especially his love for movies and photography.

From a young age, George was curious about cameras and film work. After finishing high school, his parents helped him join special classes to study filmmaking. This support would later help him build a strong career behind the scenes in Hollywood.

Even though he lived in a famous area, George stayed down to earth. His real strength came from working hard and learning new skills, which helped him in many areas of life later on.

George Santo Pietro’s Career Beginnings

George didn’t start with real estate or movies — he first made a name for himself in the restaurant business. In the 1980s, he opened a cozy Italian restaurant in Bel-Air called Santopietro’s. It wasn’t just any place to eat. Celebrities loved going there, and it became one of the top spots in Los Angeles.

Later, George opened another restaurant at the Shushi-Ko Complex, focusing on sushi. This place also became very successful. He ran it for over 10 years and earned a good reputation for excellent service and high-quality food.

These restaurants gave him the business experience he would later use to succeed in real estate. He was learning how to take smart risks — and it paid off.

From Restaurants to Real Estate

After years in the food business, George shifted gears. He started investing in real estate — and not just any homes. We’re talking about big, beautiful mansions in Beverly Hills.

George had an eye for style and space. He began designing and building luxury homes for rich buyers. One of his most famous homes was a 14,500 sq. ft. mansion in Beverly Park Estates that he built with Vanna White. It was later sold for $19.3 million.

He also owned a 30,000 sq. ft. villa that included a vineyard, a movie theater, a spice garden, and even a volleyball court. He originally listed it for $50 million but sold it for $23.5 million. These numbers show just how far he had come.

His move into real estate made him a real tycoon, turning big ideas into even bigger success stories.

George Santo Pietro and Vanna White

George met Vanna White — the smiling co-host of Wheel of Fortune — in the late 1980s. They were introduced by mutual friends at a Hollywood event. At the time, Vanna was dealing with the heartbreak of losing her fiancé in a plane crash.

George was there for her. He supported her quietly, and their friendship slowly turned into love. After dating for five years, they tied the knot in 1990. Their wedding was a private affair, but their marriage brought George into the spotlight.

Fans of Vanna quickly got to know her new husband — and many were curious about his life. From that point on, George wasn’t just a businessman anymore — he was also a celebrity partner.

Life as Vanna White’s Husband

George and Vanna looked like the perfect Hollywood couple. They appeared together at big events and shared a quiet, respectful relationship.

In 1992, Vanna happily announced on Wheel of Fortune that she was pregnant. Sadly, just one week later, she had a miscarriage. It was a tough time, but the couple stayed strong and supported each other.

Later, they were blessed with two children — Nikko in 1994 and Gigi in 1997. Being a father brought a new kind of joy into George’s life. He was no longer just a businessman — he was also a proud dad.

Even though they were in the public eye, George and Vanna tried to keep their personal life as private as possible. They lived in beautiful homes, raised their children, and stayed away from scandals.

George Santo Pietro’s Children and Family Life

George is the father of four children from three different relationships. His kids are a big part of his life, and each one has chosen a different path.

His first child, Andrea Santo Pietro, was born in 1982 from his early marriage to Linda Evans. Not much is known about Andrea, as she prefers to stay out of the spotlight.

With Vanna White, George had two kids:

• Nikko Santo Pietro — now a real estate agent and entrepreneur

• Giovanna “Gigi” Santo Pietro — a tattoo artist in Venice, California

In 2007, George and his current wife, Melissa Mascari, welcomed their daughter Chiara. She’s the youngest of the four and lives with her parents.

George has always been close to his kids. Whether they’re into art, gardening, or real estate, he supports their dreams fully. He may be a millionaire, but he’s also a hands-on dad who values family above everything else.

George Santo Pietro’s Real Estate Empire

George Santo Pietro didn’t just build homes — he built masterpieces. His properties weren’t simple houses. They were luxury estates with everything you could dream of.

One of his most famous homes was in Beverly Park Estates, a private area in Beverly Hills. This mansion was 14,500 square feet, with 8 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, a gym, home theater, spa, vineyard, and even a “zen den.” He and Vanna White had it custom-built in 1998. They later sold it for $19.3 million.

Another amazing property he owned was a 30,000-square-foot Italian-style villa on Beverly Park Lane. It had 15 bathrooms, a massive pool, a wine cellar, a volleyball court, and a spice garden. George listed this one for $50 million but sold it for $23.5 million. At one point, he even rented it out for $150,000 per month.

These homes show how skilled George is in the world of real estate. He knows how to spot value, design with luxury in mind, and close big deals. That’s why many call him a real estate tycoon.

What Is George Santo Pietro’s Net Worth?

Over the years, George Santo Pietro has earned a lot of money. But he hasn’t been flashy about it. Most of his wealth comes from real estate, restaurants, and his work in the film and TV industry.

Some reports say his net worth is around $5 million, while others say it could be closer to $14 million or more. A big part of his money is tied up in real estate properties. So while it may not always be cash in hand, his assets are worth millions.

He’s sold homes for over $40 million combined, and that doesn’t even include rental income or other business earnings. Even today, he’s still considered one of the most successful real estate investors from Beverly Hills.

So, while George Santo Pietro isn’t often in the news, he has quietly built a strong financial life through smart moves and hard work.

Other TV and Movie Work

Before he became a real estate star, George also had a career in Hollywood. But he wasn’t always in front of the camera — he worked behind the scenes.

He was a dolly grip and camera technician on shows like:

• The X-Files

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer

• Grey’s Anatomy

• The Good Place

• Two and a Half Men

• Alias …and many more.

He also had small acting roles. In 1985, he played a plumber in Prizzi’s Honor. In 1994, he appeared in Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love. Later, he even worked as a producer on several projects.

This part of his life shows that George Santo Pietro had many talents — from filming and acting to business and building homes.

Who Is George Santo Pietro Married to Now?

After his divorce from Vanna White in 2002, George took some time before getting married again. In 2005, he tied the knot with Melissa Mascari, a TV producer.

Together, they have a daughter named Chiara, who was born in 2007. Unlike his first two marriages, this one has stayed quiet and peaceful. There have been no public fights or drama.

George and Melissa seem to enjoy a private life. They stay out of the spotlight and focus on raising their daughter and working on their careers. Even though George was once part of Hollywood headlines, he now chooses a much calmer path.

Where Is George Santo Pietro Today?

In 2025, George Santo Pietro is living a quiet and happy life. He’s still believed to be in the United States, possibly in California, where he has spent most of his life.

He continues to be active in real estate development, and his name still comes up in property news when big homes are bought or sold. Even though he’s not on social media and rarely gives interviews, people still search for him online.

Every now and then, fans see him in photos with his kids — like his son Nikko or daughter Gigi — and he always looks proud and peaceful.

He may not be in the spotlight, but George Santo Pietro is still making smart moves and enjoying his life in a calm and classy way.

Quick Facts About George Santo Pietro

Here’s a quick look at the most interesting things to remember:

• His name means “Saint Peter” in Italian.

• He once owned restaurants that were favorites of Hollywood stars.

• He was married to Vanna White for 12 years.

• He’s the father of four children, including a tattoo artist and a real estate agent.

• He built and sold homes worth tens of millions.

• He worked behind the scenes on famous TV shows.

• He is now married to Melissa Mascari and lives a quiet, successful life.

Final Thoughts

So, who is George Santo Pietro? He’s more than just Vanna White’s ex-husband. He’s a man who built his success from the ground up — starting with restaurants, moving into film work, and then rising in the world of real estate.

Even though he’s no longer in the public eye, his story is full of smart choices, strong family ties, and quiet success. In a world full of noise, George shows us how powerful a calm and steady life can be.

(FAQs)

How rich is George Santo Pietro really?

George Santo Pietro’s net worth is estimated between $5 million to $14 million, but he once sold a mansion for $23.5 million and rented it for $150,000 a month!

Did George Santo Pietro ever act in movies?

Yes! He appeared in Revenge of the Nerds IV and even played a plumber in Prizzi’s Honor with Jack Nicholson and Kathleen Turner.

How old is George Santo Pietro, and what is his nationality?

George was born on December 12, 1946, which makes him 78 years old (as of 2025). He is American, but his name is of Italian origin.

How many children does George Santo Pietro have?

He has four children from three different relationships — including a tattoo artist daughter and a real estate agent son!

Who is George Santo Pietro married to now?

After divorcing Vanna White, George married TV producer Melissa Mascari in 2005, and they’re still together with a daughter, Chiara.