Stefano De Martino’s “Affari Tuoi” Gains Momentum Amidst Personal Tragedy and Rising Popularity
Stefano De Martino, the host of the popular Italian game show Affari Tuoi, has been navigating a period of both professional success and personal grief. The show, the Italian version of Deal or No Deal, has been attracting over 5 million nightly viewers since September 2024, establishing De Martino as a prominent figure on Rai 1 .
Recent Episode Highlights Emotional Exchange
The March 23, 2026 episode of Affari Tuoi featured a particularly moving moment with contestant Manuel, an architect from Piedmont. Manuel, demonstrating resilience throughout the game, made a poignant decision during a parcel exchange, selecting a pregnant parcel worker from Veneto. He explained his choice by referencing his past volunteer work with children suffering from cancer, expressing a desire to honor their memory through his selection .
Awkward Moment and Game Outcome
The episode also included an unusual interaction where Manuel playfully touched De Martino’s arm, remarking on the connection. This gesture created a brief moment of awkwardness for the host, with actor Herbert Ballerina responding with a lighthearted reaction. Manuel ultimately discovered a package containing 15,000 euros, concluding the suspenseful game .
De Martino’s Career Trajectory and Future Prospects
De Martino began hosting Affari Tuoi in September 2024, succeeding Amadeus. His success has been noted by Rai executives, who view him as a key asset for the network . He is slated to be the artistic director and main presenter of the Sanremo Music Festival in 2027 . Mara Venier, a long-time figure at Rai, has even suggested he could be her successor on Domenica In .
Recent Personal Loss and Rai’s Response
In January 2026, De Martino experienced the loss of his father, Enrico, after a long illness. This led to public discussion regarding Rai’s decision to air a pre-recorded episode of Affari Tuoi on the day of his father’s passing, with some questioning whether the program should have been paused to honor his grief . A similar situation in 2024, when Andrea Delogu lost her brother, resulted in the postponement of her Rai2 program, La porta magica, despite also being a pre-recorded episode .
Stefano De Martino maintains an active presence on social media, with over 5 million followers on Instagram .