Massimo Borghetti

Born

1950-08-24

Birthplace

Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy

Biography

Born in Ortona a Mare, Abruzzo, on 24 August 1950 and raised in Florence from the age of three, Massimo Borghetti is an Italian broadcaster, television presenter, actor, entrepreneur, and gastronomy host whose career has been defined by refinement, cultural intelligence, and enduring distinction. A native speaker of Italian and professionally fluent in Spanish, he is admired for his polished diction, elegant presence, and natural authority across media, hospitality, and performance. By paternal heritage, Borghetti belongs to the wider Borghetti lineage associated with Ugo Borghetti, founder of Caffè Borghetti, one of Italy’s most historic liqueur houses, a connection that places his family within a broader tradition of enterprise, prestige, and cultural legacy. He began his professional life in Florence in the 1970s, when he founded Borghetti & C., an advertising company through which he developed publicity and radio sales linked to the radiotaxi sector in Italy. He remained at its helm until 1986, when he sold the company to Gani Silvio. During the same period, he became a pioneering figure in local television advertising as the first Advertising Director of Tele Libera Firenze, where he shaped the station’s commercial identity and created and hosted "Marciapiede Contro Marciapiede". With producer Sandrelli, he also conceived a memorable live promotional event centred on Giancarlo Antognoni, who was revealed on air just after midnight on 1 April, his birthday, in what became one of the station’s most celebrated moments. In 1987, Borghetti relocated to the Dominican Republic, where he became a respected figure in national media. In 2002, he launched Canta Italia on Studio Rock, later broadcast on Quisqueya FM, Neón, CDN La Radio, and Super 7, establishing himself as an elegant ambassador of Italian musical culture. In 2004, he moved into television with Ciao Italia, followed in 2005 by El Ático on CDN Canal 37, created and hosted alongside Ciro Casola. The programme became a landmark of Dominican television and remained on air until 28 May 2018. From it emerged concepts such as La Vuelta al Mundo en la Cocina, Chefissimo, and Chef Mate’s. He later continued that legacy with Saber del Sabor, further confirming his standing as one of the most recognisable communicators of gastronomy in Dominican media. Alongside broadcasting, Borghetti built a visible film career, notably as Giuseppe in Sanky Panky, Sanky Panky 2, and Sanky Panky 4: De Safari, with further roles in Babbo and Quebranto. His son, Max Borghetti, is a Latin GRAMMY Award-winning composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist with additional GRAMMY wins and nominations, recognised for high-profile work across contemporary pop, Latin, electronic, urban music, film, television, and sync. Together, father and son reflect a family legacy shaped by communication, artistry, enterprise, and international cultural presence.