Almerindo Portfolio was born in 1878 in Schiavi di Abruzzo, a small village in the Abruzzo region of Italy. In 1888, seeking better opportunities, Almerindo emigrated to the United States with his father at 9. He was the eldest son. The journey was difficult, with precarious living conditions during the sea crossing, a common experience for many immigrants of the time. They traveled on one of the early steamships, with cargo holds transformed into accommodations where it was difficult to breathe, especially on deck in the cold and bad weather: the journey itself was an adventure in the truest sense of the word: on some voyages, mortality reached 20%.

He arrived with little more than his determination and the dream of a better life. He settled in New York, a vibrant city full of opportunities but also challenges. The city welcomed him and allowed him to attend schools with absolute social equality.

At 17, he was left alone because his father wanted to return to Schiavi, pushed by great nostalgia for his homeland. Despite his young age, he was not discouraged and began working as a salesman in the garment industry, while in the afternoons he sold evening editions of the major newspapers. He quickly stood out, becoming the sales director of the Mercantile Cloak Company. Subsequently, he founded A. Portfolio & Co., one of the leading clothing manufacturers. He legally changed his surname from Porfilio to Portfolio.

At the age of 47, in 1925, he donated A. Portfolio & Co. to six of his employees, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and desire to share success. After this donation, he took on the presidency of the Bank of Sicily Trust Company and actively participated in editorial, financial, and commodity activities.

In the 1930s, he got involved in politics, joining the Republican Party. During the 1950s, he allied with J. Bracken Lee and the "For America" movement, supporting constitutionalism, and states' rights, opposing federal centralization, taxes, and international interventionism.

From 1938 to 1945, Portfolio served as Treasurer of New York City under Mayor Fiorello La Guardia's administration, significantly contributing to balancing the city's budgets.

Portfolio never forgot his Italian roots and maintained close ties with his hometown in Abruzzo. Between 1917 and 1919, he financed the construction of a hydroelectric power plant in Schiavi di Abruzzo, bringing electricity to the town for the first time. He also financed the construction of the first water services.

In 1945, he was a member of a committee of Italian-American personalities who promoted "ally country" status for Italy at the end of World War II. Before the war, he met confidentially with Mussolini in an attempt to counter German influence and strengthen ties between the United States and Italy.

Portfolio actively supported Italian-American organizations and promoted the importance of education for Italian immigrants. He helped found institutions such as the Italian Hospital, the Italian Welfare League, the Italian Historical Society, and the Italian House at Columbia University.

Almerindo Portfolio left a lasting legacy in both Italy and the United States. His story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and what can be achieved with determination and hard work. He inspired future generations of immigrants to dream big and overcome adversity.

Today, the field in Schiavi di Abruzzo bears his name, honoring his contributions to the community. Portfolio died on January 25, 1966, in Gabriels, New York, and was buried alongside his friend and political mentor Fiorello La Guardia in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.