Silvio Berlusconi, a towering figure in Italy's political and media landscape who once likened himself to Jesus, has passed away at the age of 86. His influence was far-reaching, extending from politics where he served as the nation's longest-tenured prime minister, to media, where he practically created Italy's commercial TV landscape, and even sports, where he owned the AC Milan football club.
Berlusconi, despite his leukemia diagnosis, was active in his political pursuits till the end, serving as a senator and as a partner in the rightwing government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. His immense wealth and media empire allowed him to maintain significant clout in Italy, where he was the richest person for over a decade.
A charismatic figure, Berlusconi captured the hearts of millions of Italians, presenting himself as a self-made mogul who lived life to the fullest and was unafraid to speak his mind, even if it led to clashes with other leaders.
However, his critics saw him differently: a tax-dodging bon vivant who leveraged his media empire to propel his political career while safeguarding his business interests.
Legal entanglements were a constant theme in Berlusconi's life, with his notorious "Bunga Bunga" sex parties involving young girls, including underage escorts, only concluding in February 2023.
The magnate was a dynamic figure in Italy's post-war politics, making his debut in the early 1990s after amassing a fortune in media and real estate. His emergence was hailed as a breath of fresh air in a period rife with corruption and scandal. He went on to secure his first electoral victory in 1994 with his movement, Forza Italia (Go Italy!).
Despite his prolonged legal battles, which included 86 trials as he claimed in 2021, Berlusconi never faced imprisonment and successfully contested convictions for fraud and corruption early in his political career.
On the global stage, Berlusconi's unconventional diplomatic style was well-known. He shared close friendships with international figures such as Libya's Moamer Kadhafi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. His controversial comments often made headlines, such as comparing a German European MP to a Nazi and describing former US President Barack Obama as "suntanned".
The legendary figure's life wasn't without personal controversies. His notorious sex parties at his villa near Milan led to a high-profile trial involving a 17-year-old nightclub dancer known as "Ruby the Heart Stealer". Despite his initial seven-year prison sentence for paying for sex with her, this was later overturned due to insufficient proof that he knew she was underage.
Berlusconi was born in Milan in 1936 to a bank employee father and a housewife mother. He pursued his passion for entertainment from a young age, leveraging the money earned from his successful venture into the construction sector to build a vast conglomerate that included businesses in broadcasting, publishing, retail, and football.
Under his ownership, AC Milan achieved five of its seven European Cup/Champions League triumphs. His 31-year tenure as the club's owner is remembered as one of the most successful in its history. He sold AC Milan in 2017 after a series of disappointing performances and purchased Monza, a third-tier Italian club, the following year.
