Restaurateur and humanitarian Anthony Rugiero will be inducted into the knighthood of the Constantinian Order of Saint George on May 19 at St. Agnes Church in New York, followed by a black-tie celebration at the historic Union League Club.
Rugiero, president and CEO of Antonio’s Cucina Italiana in Farmington Hills and the Roman Village restaurant group in Dearborn will receive this honor in recognition of his philanthropy, leadership, and commitment to improving lives across communities both locally and internationally.
As chairman and founder of the Rugiero Promise Foundation, Rugiero has spearheaded transformative initiatives including the signature Rugiero Casino Royale event, supporting diabetes research at Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan along with multiple charities.
His leadership extends across numerous organizations where he serves as one of the founding board members for Michigan Patrons of the Arts of the Vatican Museum. He is a board member for the Detroit Opera House, Italian Language Inter-Cultural Alliance (ILICA-NYC), Volterra-Detroit Foundation (Italy) School of Architecture, The Italian American Club of Livonia Charitable Foundation, and a supporter of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen and Gleaners Food Bank.
The Constantinian Order of Saint George, established five centuries ago by the Royal House of Bourbon, bestows knighthood on individuals who demonstrate exceptional contributions to society across various fields including business, science, sports, and education. At the May 19 ceremony, Rugiero will be honored along with five other individuals from across the United States, recognized for their pre-eminence in their respective fields, charitable endeavors, and meaningful societal contributions.
“I accept this honor with profound gratitude and renewed commitment to continue the values my father and mother instilled in me,” Rugiero says.
