Silvio Berlusconi, the scandal-prone former Prime Minister of Italy, has passed away at the age of 86 after a battle with leukemia. Berlusconi, a billionaire tycoon, had been admitted to the hospital last week due to complications related to his illness, and his death was confirmed by his spokesman today.
Berlusconi was a prominent figure in Italian politics and business, having founded Italy’s largest media company, as well as serving as the owner of AC Milan, the famous Italian football club. Throughout his career, he faced numerous legal issues and scandals, including the infamous ‘bunga bunga’ sex parties that earned him notoriety.
Born on September 29, 1936, in Milan, Berlusconi started his real estate career in 1961, focusing on developing residential districts on the outskirts of the city. In 1978, he established the Fininvest holding company, which encompassed media, financial services, publishing, and ownership of AC Milan from 1986 to 2017.
Berlusconi’s political career took off in 1994 when he created the Forza Italia movement, leading to his first term as prime minister from May to December of that year. He faced a trial on corruption charges in 1996 but was later acquitted on appeal after being sentenced to 16 months in prison for false accounting.
In 2001, Berlusconi returned as prime minister for a second term after his right-wing alliance won the general election. He served for five years before winning another electoral victory in 2008, which brought him back as prime minister until 2011. His resignation came amidst a national financial crisis that posed risks to the entire eurozone.
Berlusconi’s business empire and political influence made a significant impact on Italian society. He faced a four-year prison sentence in 2013 for tax fraud related to his Mediaset media empire, although he served one year of community service in a home for Alzheimer’s patients instead. In 2015, he was acquitted on appeal following a conviction for paying for sex with an underage prostitute and abuse of power in the ‘Rubygate’ or ‘bunga bunga’ affair.
Even in his later years, Berlusconi remained active in politics, winning a seat in the European Parliament in 2019 and becoming the assembly’s oldest MEP at the age of 82. He continued to be involved in Italian politics as a senator and partner in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government.
Berlusconi’s health had been a concern in recent years, including open-heart surgery in 2016 and hospitalizations due to COVID-19. In April 2023, he was admitted to intensive care for heart problems and was subsequently diagnosed with leukemia and a lung infection.
His passing is not only a loss for Italian politics but also marks the end of an era. Berlusconi’s charisma, controversies, and larger-than-life personality divided the Italian public. He was admired by some as a capable and charismatic statesman, while others saw him as a populist who used his political power for personal gain.
Berlusconi’s death is likely to have implications for Italian politics and his business empire. As the leader of Forza Italia, his absence may destabilize Italian politics in the coming months. The future of his media company, Mediaset, and other business interests also remains uncertain, as he did not publicly indicate who would assume control of his empire upon his death.
Despite the controversies that surrounded him, Silvio Berlusconi’s influence on Italian politics, media, and society cannot be denied. His legacy will be remembered as a complex mix of achievements, scandals, and a significant impact on Italy’s political landscape.