Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi dies at age 86

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, a billionaire businessman who created the southern European nation's largest media company before transforming the country's political landscape, died on June 12, Reuters reported.

According to Reuters, Mr. Berlusconi, 86, has been suffering from leukemia for some time and recently suffered from a lung infection. He has been hospitalized several times since September 2020.

Mr Berlusconi served as Italy's prime minister for more than nine years. Mr Berlusconi's Forza Italia party is part of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition.

Although he himself does not currently hold a role in the government , the veteran politician's departure is likely to destabilize Italian politics in the coming months, Reuters said.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Mr Berlusconi’s death left a “huge void”. He told The Sun (UK): “I loved him very much. Goodbye Silvio.”

Mr Berlusconi in 2000. Photo: The Sun UK

Mr Berlusconi poses with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2003. Photo: The Sun UK

Mr Berlusconi with his daughter Barbara in 2006. Photo: The Sun UK

According to CNBC, Silvio Berlusconi, born on September 29, 1936, has faced numerous scandals and trials related to allegations of tax evasion and sexual misconduct. He was convicted, but later cleared of having sex with an underage person.

Mr Berlusconi is the controlling shareholder of Mediaset, Italy's largest commercial television broadcaster.

As of June 2023, his fortune is estimated at around $7 billion. He also owned the Italian football club AC Milan from 1986 to 2017. Mr. Berlusconi has been married twice and has five children.

Mr Berlusconi escorted Pope Benedict XVI as he left Rome in 2009. Photo: The Sun UK

Berlusconi owned AC Milan from 1986 to 2017, selling the club in 2018. Photo: The Sun UK

He has led governments – from 1994 to 1995, 2001 to 2006 and 2008 to 2011 – and since 2019 has served as a member of the European Parliament (EP).

At a 2009 election rally during his final term as Italian Prime Minister, he was hit in the face by a mentally ill man wielding a small statue of a Milan cathedral. The attack left him with a broken nose, cut lip and two knocked out teeth.

In 2013, Mr Berlusconi was convicted of paying for sex with a 17-year-old nightclub dancer at one of his parties and was sentenced to seven years in prison, and banned from public office for life. Two years later, Italy's Supreme Court acquitted him .

Minh Duc (According to Reuters, CNBC)

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