When most people hear the name Butera, they often connect it to the world-famous pop star, Ariana Grande. But the man behind that name, Edward Butera, has a successful and creative story all his own. Long before his daughter became a household name, he was making his own mark as a talented artist, designer, and business owner. His career is built on a foundation of creativity, skill, and an entrepreneurial spirit that has lasted for decades. While many know him as a famous father, his professional life is a fascinating journey in its own right.
Quick Bio of Edward Butera
| Fact | Detail |
| Full Name | Edward Charles Butera |
| Date of Birth | September 19, 1958 |
| Place of Birth | Maplewood, New Jersey, USA |
| Profession | Graphic Designer, Photographer, Artist |
| Company | Founder & President of IBI Designs, Inc. (Founded 1992) |
| Education | New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) |
| Degree | Advertising and Design (Graduated 1981) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Italian-American (Sicilian and Abruzzese) |
| Ex-Spouse | Joan Grande (Married 1992–2003) |
| Children | Ariana Grande |
| Stepchildren | Frankie Grande |
| @edbutera |
The Early Life of Edward Butera
Edward Butera was born on September 19, 1958, in the town of Maplewood, New Jersey. His nationality is American, but his edward butera ethnicity is Italian-American, with family roots tracing back to Sicily and Abruzzo in Italy. He grew up in a strong family environment. His edward butera parents were Anthony Butera and Florence (Citrano) Butera. His father, Anthony, was a respected figure in their community, a World War II Navy veteran and a graduate of Seton Hall University.
This creative spark was visible in edward butera young life. He has shared a story about how his passion for art and design was ignited at just six years old. In 1964, his father took him to the New York World’s Fair. The amazing structures, shapes, and colors he saw there had a huge impact on him. This inspiration showed up in school, where he would often volunteer to draw and paint large backdrops for school plays, learning about art and proportion long before he would study it in college.
His Education and Path to Design
After high school, Edward Butera knew his future was in the creative field. He pursued a formal edward butera education to turn his passion into one of his future edward butera professions. He enrolled at the prestigious New York Institute of Technology (NYIT).
He focused his studies on advertising and design, learning the technical skills and creative strategies of the industry. In 1981, he graduated with a degree and was ready to start his career. He first worked for different design agencies in New York City, gaining valuable experience. But his ultimate goal was to create something for himself.
The Founding of IBI Designs, Inc.
In the early 1990s, Edward Butera made a life-changing move. He relocated from New Jersey to Boca Raton, Florida. This move to the edward butera boca area was a fresh start for his career. In 1992, he founded his own company, IBI Designs, Inc. The name itself is a clever play on his initials, “E.B.,” as they are pronounced in Italian.
His company is a full-service creative studio. This means it does much more than just one thing. The core of the business is edward butera graphic design, which includes creating logos, branding, and marketing materials for other businesses. But the company also specializes in web design, digital marketing, and professional photography. Edward Butera serves as the president and creative director, guiding the artistic vision of every project.
A Successful Career in His Own Right
For over 30 years, Edward Butera has successfully run his company. His studio has built a strong reputation in South Florida and beyond. It is known for its high-quality, professional work. His client list includes a wide range of businesses, from interior design firms like Michael Gray Interiors to large construction companies like Butters Construction.
His work shows that his talent is diverse. As a photographer, he captures stunning architectural photos for his clients. As an artist, his creative vision guides the entire company. His success is not tied to his daughter’s fame. He was already a well-established and respected business owner for many years, building his company from the ground up through his own skill and hard work.
Edward Butera’s Family Life
While building his career in New York, Edward Butera met Joan Grande, a successful businesswoman. The story of joan grande y edward butera began, and they were married in 1992. Soon after, they moved to Boca Raton together, where they would both build their careers and start their family.
In 1993, their daughter, Ariana Grande, was born. Edward Butera also became the stepfather to Joan’s son from a previous marriage, Frankie Grande. The family edward butera lived in Florida as Ariana was growing up. However, Edward and Joan’s marriage ended, and they finalized their divorce in 2003 when Ariana was about 8 years old.
His Relationship with Ariana Grande
The relationship between edward butera ariana grande has been a personal journey, one that has had both difficult times and moments of healing. After his divorce from Joan, his relationship with his daughter became strained. In a 2014 interview with Seventeen magazine, Ariana admitted that she had “fallen out of touch” with her father.
She called the estrangement one of the hardest things she had to go through. The reasons were kept private, as they are for most families. For several years, they were not a close part of each other’s lives. This was a painful period for Edward Butera and his daughter, but their story did not end there.
Reconciliation and a Rebuilt Bond
In recent years, Edward Butera and Ariana have worked hard to rebuild their relationship. This healing became public in 2019 when Ariana shared photos on Thanksgiving that included her father. It was the first time in many years they had spent the holiday together, signaling a positive turn.
A truly touching public moment came at the 2020 Grammy Awards. Edward Butera attended the event as Ariana’s proud date, sitting with her in the front row. During her performance of her hit song “Thank U, Next,” she famously changed the lyric. Instead of the original line, “I’ll be thanking my dad / ‘Cause she grew from the drama,” she sang, “I’ll be thanking my dad / ‘Cause he’s really awesome.” It was a powerful and public sign of their reconciliation.
A Proud Father in Recent Years
Since then, Edward Butera has been a regular and supportive presence in his daughter’s life. When Ariana married Dalton Gomez in 2021, her father was there to celebrate with her. The connection between dalton gomez edward butera was clear in the happy photos from the small, private ceremony.
He continues to be an extremely proud dad. He often posts supportive messages for both Ariana and Frankie on his social media. He attended the 2024 premiere of the movie Wicked to support his daughter’s starring role. In a special tribute to her father and her family, Ariana used her full legal name in the movie’s credits: Ariana Grande-Butera.
Edward Butera’s Net Worth and Personal Details
There is often public curiosity about the edward butera net worth. While he is not a public figure who shares his financial details, his wealth is estimated to be around $5 million. This fortune was built entirely from his own career as the owner of IBI Designs, Inc. for over three decades.
Regarding his personal details, the edward butera age is 67 (as of late 2025), and his birthday is September 19, 1958. One detail that is not publicly known is the exact edward butera height. Unlike public performers, his height is not listed, and he is simply seen in photos as being of average height.
Life, Hobbies, and Instagram
Today, Edward Butera continues to live and work in Boca Raton, Florida. He is still the active president and creative head of IBI Designs, Inc. When he is not working, he has a few hobbies he is very passionate about.
His edward butera instagram account, under the handle @edbutera, shows his personal side. He is an avid fisherman and often posts photos from his boat. He also shares his personal art and photography projects, as well as proud and loving family photos. His account shows him as a father, an artist, and an outdoorsman.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does Edward Butera do for a living?
Edward Butera is a professional graphic designer, photographer, and artist. He is the founder and creative president of his own company, IBI Designs, Inc., which he started in 1992.
2. How is Edward Butera related to Ariana Grande?
Edward Butera is the father of Ariana Grande.
3. What is IBI Designs, Inc.?
IBI Designs, Inc. is a full-service creative studio founded by Edward Butera and based in Boca Raton, Florida. The company specializes in graphic design, branding, web design, and professional photography.
4. Who was Edward Butera’s wife?
Edward Butera was married to Joan Grande from 1992 until their divorce in 2003. She is the mother of Ariana Grande.
5. Do Edward Butera and Ariana Grande have a good relationship?
Yes. Although they had a period of estrangement (not speaking) around 2013, they have since reconciled. Edward Butera is now a supportive presence in her life, attending events like the 2020 Grammys and the Wicked movie premiere with her.
A Man of His Own Success
To truly understand Edward Butera, it is important to see him as more than just a famous father. He is a man who took his childhood passion for art, got a formal education, and built a successful company from scratch. He is a talented designer and photographer who has run a business for over 30 years.
He has also navigated the complexities of family, including a public divorce and a painful estrangement from his child. His story is one of resilience, both professionally and personally. Edward Butera has shown that he is a dedicated creative professional and a loving father who was able to heal his most important family relationships.
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