Edgardo Defortuna

Edgardo Defortuna is an Argentine-American real estate developer and businessman. He is the President, CEO, and Founder of Fortune International Group, a real estate firm known for its high-end luxury properties in South Florida, Latin America, and Europe. Defortuna is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Early Life and Education
Edgardo Defortuna was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At the age of three, his family relocated to Córdoba, where he spent his early years. In 1983, after obtaining his bachelor's degree in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering from the National University of Argentina, he moved to the United States. Defortuna later enrolled at the University of Miami, where he obtained an MBA. His career in real estate began in 1983, managing properties for family and friends and acquiring a small brokerage in the Brickell area. He also traveled extensively across Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia to market his services and establish business relationships with local brokers.
By 1998, alongside his wife Ana Cristina Defortuna, Defortuna had developed Fortune International Group into a brokerage, establishing a presence in Miami's most sought-after neighborhoods, including Brickell, Key Biscayne, Coral Gables, Miami Beach, Aventura, and Sunny Isles Beach.
The brokerage expanded into development with the Jade Residences at Brickell Bay project. The completion of this 48-story high-rise in 2004 not only launched the Jade brand but also marked a significant shift in Defortuna's career where he would take on major development ventures.
For this project, there was an architectural challenge to enhance the sun exposure to the pool area and eliminate the typical parking pedestal. The Defortunas then traveled to Switzerland to consult with Herzog & de Meuron to address these issues. The architects proposed rotating the design of the building approximately 15 degrees without altering the unit orientations, maximizing sun exposure and meeting the couple's design requests.
Defortuna has been recognized for contributing to the internationalization of Miami and enhancing its reputation as a global business, trade, and vacation hub. As a result, Fortune International Group has gained a strong presence in Latin America and has expanded into the European and Asian markets, with a special focus on Spain, Britain, France, Turkey, and Russia.

Defortuna's strategic vision and hands-on approach to managing day-to-day operations have contributed to Fortune International Group's involvement in integrating international architectural talent into local projects and launching notable developments.
Additionally, in 2022, Fortune International Group fortified its brokerage division, Fortune International Realty, by partnering with Christie's International. Since then, the brokerage has expanded to over 600 agents across 11 Miami offices, with additional offices in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Family Matters and The Next Generation
From its inception, the Defortuna family has played a role in the operations of Fortune International Group. Walter Defortuna, Edgardo's brother, previously led Fortune International Realty. Their sister, Monica Defortuna, actively contributes to the company's strategic direction as its vice president. His wife Ana Cristina serves as the Executive Vice President of Sales at Fortune International Group and is in charge of shaping the aesthetic and operational aspects of their development projects.
Ana Cristina attended Boston University, where she double-majored in Finance and Business Administration, and later moved to Miami. She met Edgardo at a chamber of commerce event at the Defortuna home, and they eventually married. The couple has five children, with their eldest son currently a college student working part-time at Fortune's office. The family is involved in addressing affordable housing challenges in Miami-Dade County. Defortuna serves on the advisory board of the University of Miami Business School, is a member of the Board of Trustees of Ransom Everglades School, and holds a position as a board member of the Argentine-U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Miami. His civic engagements focus on enhancing cultural and educational opportunities within the community.
Honors and Awards
Throughout his career, Defortuna has received numerous accolades, including the 2014 CEO of the Year Apogee Award and the 2021 Circle of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award by South Florida Business and Wealth; the 2017 Florida Titan of the Year Award by Haute Residences; the 2024 Developer of the Year by the RED Awards Florida; and, the 2023 South Florida Ultimate CEO recognition by the South Florida Business Journal. His role in promoting international business ties and his innovative contributions to the Miami real estate market have also earned him international recognition, such as the Argentine Developer Who Succeeds Abroad Award issued by Expo Real Estate Awards in Argentina in 2023.

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