Silvio Berlusconi, the former leader of Italy and renowned media mogul, has died at the age of 86, according to reports from Italian media, Your Content has learned.
Berlusconi, known for his resilience in the face of multiple sex scandals and corruption allegations, as well as his adoption of a politically populist approach, had recently been receiving treatment for a lung infection and chronic leukemia during a 45-day hospital stay in Milan.
LaPresse, an Italian news agency, was the first to report his passing.
Mediaset, a television network owned by Berlusconi, shared the news on its homepage, accompanied by cheerful photos of the man, under the headline “Berlusconi is dead.”
Throughout his flamboyant career, Berlusconi led Italy as the head of four governments from 1994 to 2011.
Despite his significant contributions to Italian politics, his personal life often overshadowed his political achievements.
He faced numerous court appearances, grappling with charges including embezzlement, tax fraud, and attempted bribery.
Berlusconi’s extravagant lifestyle and his history of making controversial statements about women provoked widespread criticism.
Notably, in 2013, he was accused of having paid for sex with an underage Moroccan dancer at one of his parties, though he was ultimately acquitted of the charges.
Berlusconi’s success as a media tycoon stemmed from his ownership of television stations that bolstered his personal brand.
Additionally, he held ownership of AC Milan, a prominent soccer club. Remarkably, his journey into the business world began by selling vacuum cleaners.
In 2022, after nearly a decade since being sentenced to jail and banned from public office due to a tax fraud conviction linked to his Mediaset television empire, Berlusconi made a political comeback, winning reelection as a lawmaker.
Following the news of Berlusconi’s passing, condolences poured in from both domestic and international figures.
Matteo Renzi, a former Italian prime minister, reflected on Berlusconi’s divisive legacy, stating in a tweet, “Silvio Berlusconi made history in this country. Many loved him, many hated him: everyone today must recognize that his impact on political but also economic, sporting and television life was unprecedented.”
Among those who paid tribute was former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who described Berlusconi as a larger-than-life figure and acknowledged him as a leader whom he found capable, shrewd, and true to his word.
Silvio Berlusconi’s death marks the end of an era in Italian politics, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to be debated and remembered for years to come, according USA Today.
—
Your Content for the latest updates. Have a story or news tip? Contact our 24/7 newsroom at 833.336.8013 or e-mail our tip line: [email protected]