Edgardo Defortuna

President, Chief Executive Officer

Defortuna wears two hats: developer and broker, becoming one of the top new condo development experts in South Florida by balancing roles that often conflict with each other.

Defortuna has said that Fortune International Group keeps a “really perfect separation” between its in-house developments and the projects for which it handles sales. His partnerships include projects with the Related Group, the Grendenes’ Casa Tua brand, Château Group and Swire Properties.

“There is the perception that ‘you’re gonna take buyers to your property rather than ours,’ and it never happens,” Defortuna said in 2024. “I always say that I’d rather lose a sale in my project, if there’s any doubt.”

Defortuna started Fortune after he moved to Miami in the 1980s. An engineer, he enrolled at the University of Miami to earn his MBA so he could stay in the U.S. He began managing properties for family and friends and bought a small brokerage in the Brickell area.

Fortune is also something of a family affair. Defortuna works closely with his wife, Ana Cristina. Walter Defortuna, Edgardo’s brother, led Fortune International Realty for years but is less involved now. Their sister, Monica, is vice president of the company.