Tommy Mottola

Tommy Mottola is a music executive and entrepreneur best known for serving as chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment for nearly 15 years. Mottola was born in the Bronx into an Italian-American family. He attended Iona Prep in New Rochelle, then briefly enrolled at Hofstra University before leaving to pursue music. He played trumpet and guitar in his youth and performed in a band called The Exotics.

He began his career in the late 1960s as a recording artist under the name T.D. Valentine before moving into music publishing. In 1974, he founded Champion Entertainment, managing acts like Hall & Oates. He joined Sony Music in the late 1980s, becoming chairman and CEO. Under his leadership, Sony’s music division expanded significantly in revenue and global reach.

Mottola played a key role in launching and developing the careers of major artists including Celine Dion, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez and Destiny’s Child. After leaving Sony in 2003, he founded the Mottola Media Group and cofounded Ntertain Studios, producing TV, film and theater content. In 2013, he released his memoir Hitmaker: The Man and His Music. He has received numerous industry honors, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Mottola married Lisa Clark in 1971 and they welcomed two children, Michael (born in 1980) and Sarah (born in 1982), before divorcing in 1990. He married Mariah Carey in 1993; they divorced in 1998. In 2000, he married Mexican singer Thalía, and the pair share children Sabrina Sakaë (born in 2007) and Matthew Alejandro (born in 2011).