How much is Lidia Bastianich net worth in 2025? The Italian-American chef, TV personality, and restaurateur has built an impressive financial empire through her restaurants, cookbooks, and television shows.
From owning top-rated restaurants like Felidia and Becco to co-founding Eataly, her success in the food industry is undeniable. But how much does she actually earn, and what are her most profitable ventures?
Let’s take a deep dive into her wealth, salary, and financial status.
Lidia Bastianich Quick Facts
| FACT | DETAIL |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Lidia Giuliana Matticchio Bastianich |
| Popular Name | Lidia Bastianich |
| Birth Date | February 21, 1947 |
| Age (as of 03/12/2025) | 78 |
| Birthplace | Pula, Istria, Italy (now Croatia) |
| Nationality | Italian-American |
| Ethnicity | Istrian Italian |
| Education | High school graduate |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Spouse | Felice Bastianich (m. 1966–1997 |
| Children | Joe Bastianich, Tanya Bastianich Manuali |
| Dating | N/A |
| Siblings | Brother – Franco |
| Parents | Erminia Motika, Vittorio Matticchio |
| Height | 1.6 meters |
| Net Worth | $16 million |
| Source of Wealth | Restaurants, TV shows, cookbooks, food products, wineries |
What is the Net Worth Of Lidia Bastianich in 2025?
As of 2025, Lidia Bastianich’s net worth is estimated at $16 million. Her wealth comes from a diversified business portfolio, including her successful restaurant empire, TV shows, cookbooks, and food product lines.
Compared to other famous chefs, her net worth is lower than Gordon Ramsay but higher than some rising culinary stars.
Her long-standing reputation in Italian-American cuisine and partnerships in businesses like Eataly and Nonna Foods contribute to her financial success.
Related People & Companies
- Joe Bastianich
- Felidia
- Becco
- Eataly
- Nonna Foods
- PBS Cooking Shows
- James Beard Foundation
- Italian-American Cuisine Industry
- New York Restaurant Scene
- Gordon Ramsay
For more insights into the wealthiest chefs and TV personalities, check out this list of top earners.
Lidia Bastianich Wealth, Salary, and Financial Overview
How Does She Make Money?
Lidia Bastianich has multiple income sources. Her wealth is built on restaurants, TV shows, books, and food products.
She started as a hostess at her restaurant Buonavia in 1971 and eventually became a top Italian-American chef. Today, she owns or has owned successful eateries like Felidia, Becco, and Lidia’s Kansas City.
Her PBS cooking shows have also been a major contributor to her earnings. Since 1998, she has hosted Lidia’s Italian Table, Lidia’s Family Table, Lidia’s Italy, and Lidia Celebrates America.
These shows increased her popularity and helped sell her best-selling cookbooks, including Lidia’s Italian-American Kitchen and Lidia’s Commonsense Italian Cooking.
What Are Her Most Profitable Businesses?
Her restaurant empire is one of her biggest financial successes. She co-founded Eataly, a multi-million-dollar Italian marketplace with locations across the U.S. Her food brand, Nonna Foods, sells pasta sauces nationwide.
In addition, she produces wine through Bastianich Vineyard and La Mozza Vineyard in Italy, further boosting her financial portfolio.
How Much Does She Earn from Television and Media?
PBS has played a huge role in Lidia’s career. She started with Lidia’s Italian Table (1998) and later expanded with Lidia’s Kitchen (2013-present).
Her Emmy-winning series Lidia Celebrates America has been running since 2011, exploring different cultural traditions in the U.S.
While exact salary figures aren’t public, top TV chefs can earn millions annually from shows, endorsements, and book sales.
How Successful Are Her Restaurants?
Her flagship restaurant, Felidia, put her on the map in 1981. It received 3 stars from The New York Times and multiple James Beard Award nominations.
Becco, opened with her son Joe Bastianich in 1993, became another hit, offering affordable Italian dishes in NYC’s Theater District.
She has since expanded beyond NYC, opening Lidia’s Kansas City and Lidia’s Pittsburgh. Her involvement with Eataly has made her a key figure in modern Italian cuisine.
How Does She Invest Her Money?
Lidia owns a 3,624 sq. ft. home in Douglaston, Queens, New York, where she grows herbs and vegetables for her recipes. This property also served as a filming location for her TV shows.
Beyond real estate, she invests in restaurants, vineyards, and food production companies. Her partnership with Joe Bastianich and Oscar Farinetti in Eataly has proven to be a lucrative move, helping expand the brand into major U.S. cities.
What Financial Challenges Has She Faced?
Like any entrepreneur, Lidia has faced business and legal hurdles. In 2011, she was sued by Maria Carmela Farina, who claimed she worked for Lidia without pay. The case was dismissed in 2012 but reinstated in 2014.
Additionally, some of her restaurants, like Del Posto, have closed or been sold, showing the ups and downs of the industry.
However, she has continuously adapted, shifting her focus to food production and media to maintain her income.
What Is Her Legacy in the Food Industry?
Lidia Bastianich’s impact on Italian-American cuisine is undeniable. She has inspired millions through her TV shows, books, and restaurants.
Her business empire continues to thrive, proving that passion and perseverance can lead to financial success.
Conclusion
Lidia Bastianich has built an impressive $16 million net worth through her restaurants, TV career, and food businesses. Her success in the culinary industry makes her one of the most influential chefs in America.
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