Silvio Berlusconi, the charismatic yet controversial former Prime Minister of Italy, has passed away at the age of 86. Berlusconi was hospitalized in Milan just three weeks after receiving treatment for his heart ailments, which included a valve replacement surgery in 2016. He had also battled COVID-19 and suffered from a pulmonary infection linked to chronic leukemia, which led to a six-week hospital stay earlier this year.
Berlusconi was one of the most influential political figures in Italy's recent history, having served as the longest-serving post-war prime minister in the country's history, with more than nine years in office. He was known for his showmanship, catchy slogans, and charisma, which he used to win three national elections and lead four different cabinets. Even when his party was no longer the dominant political force, he remained a kingmaker in bringing center-right coalitions to power.
Despite his wealth, which was estimated to be over $7.4 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Berlusconi often presented himself as a man of the people, an outsider challenging a corrupt ruling class with a promise of national renewal. His style and rhetoric were often compared to that of a military leader, an athletic coach, or even an American self-help guru. Many voters identified with Berlusconi and saw his success as a reflection of their own aspirations. However, his opponents viewed him as someone who had exploited his political power to further his business interests.
Berlusconi was plagued by numerous sex scandals and allegations of corruption throughout his political career, yet he was only convicted in one case of tax fraud that led to his temporary loss of parliamentary seat. He continued to face numerous judicial proceedings over the years, with his own estimate putting the number of probes and trials at over 100. He spent over €300 million in legal fees during his political career.
Berlusconi's impact on Italy's economy was mixed. He promised an "Italian miracle," but his tenure was marked by repeated bouts of recession for one of the weakest economies in the Eurozone. He also faced a scandal over so-called "bunga bunga" sex parties, which he described as "elegant dinners," in his last years in office.
Berlusconi had a colorful personal life. He was married twice, first to Carla Elvira Dall'Oglio with whom he had two children, then to actress Veronica Lario, with whom he had three children. His second marriage ended in divorce, and he lived with his girlfriend, Francesca Pascale, before starting a new relationship with Marta Fascina, a Forza Italia lawmaker who was over 50 years his junior. The couple exchanged rings in 2022 and held a party to celebrate what Berlusconi described as a "symbolic" marriage.
Berlusconi's influence on Italian politics declined after his 2013 tax fraud conviction, which resulted in his loss of Senate seat and a ban on holding public office. However, he still managed to make a comeback in 2022 and was re-elected to parliament.
Berlusconi's legacy will forever be remembered as a complex mix of political success, scandal, and controversy. He will be missed by some and remembered as a divisive figure by others.