Silvio Berlusconi, the former Italian Prime Minister and media mogul, has been admitted to the intensive care unit of San Raffaele hospital in Milan, according to a source familiar with the situation. The 86-year-old is said to be in stable condition, and news agency Ansa reported that he had been hospitalized for routine checks last month. Italian media has reported that he experienced respiratory problems. Berlusconi's political party, Forza Italia, is a junior partner in the current government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. If Berlusconi's condition worsens, it could pose a risk to the party's future, but is unlikely to impact the stability of the current government due to its broad majority. Berlusconi served as Italy's prime minister for over nine years and founded Mediaset, the country's largest commercial broadcaster, before becoming a politician in 1994.
Despite being plagued by sex scandals, political blunders, and accusations of corruption and mafia links throughout his career, Silvio Berlusconi has consistently managed to bounce back. Even his close ties and public defense of Russian President Vladimir Putin did not prevent his political party, Forza Italia, from securing the foreign ministry post in Giorgia Meloni's government. Berlusconi is also known for his vast business interests, which range from real estate to publishing to finance. His family holding company, Fininvest SpA, has a stake in mid-sized Italian bank Banca Mediolanum SpA, and also controls Mondadori, one of Italy's largest publishing groups, as well as soccer team AC Monza.