Italy's scandal-hit Berlusconi dies at 86

Berculosconi the scandal-ridden Italian figure who wielded immense power as a billionaire media mogul, businessman, and prime minister, has passed away at the age of 86.

Despite facing numerous controversies, Berlusconi remained active in politics until the end, serving as a senator and partner in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government, even while battling leukemia.

Berlusconi’s influence extended beyond politics, as he held substantial control over television and newspaper interests, earning recognition for introducing commercial TV to Italy.

He also left a mark on the sporting world through his ownership of AC Milan football club and his status as Italy’s wealthiest individual for a decade.

Prior to Donald Trump’s foray into politics, Berlusconi captivated millions of Italians with his self-made man persona, unabashedly expressing his opinions and even insulting fellow leaders.

His detractors, however, saw him as a tax-evading playboy who exploited his media empire to advance his political career and protect his business interests.

Throughout his life, Berlusconi faced numerous legal battles, including the infamous “Bunga Bunga” sex parties scandal, which involved young girls, including underage escorts.

It wasn’t until February 2023 that these cases were finally concluded. In recent months, although he remained president of his Forza Italia party, Berlusconi had largely retreated from the public eye.

Berlusconi’s health had been deteriorating, with hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in September 2020 and a subsequent intensive care stay in April 2023 due to leukemia and a lung infection.

Despite these challenges, he maintained his well-groomed appearance, never letting a single strand of his slicked-back hair show any signs of gray.

Berlusconi burst onto the political scene in the early 1990s, presenting himself as a refreshing figure after a period of corruption and scandal in Italy.

With the support of his television stations and newspapers, he secured his first election victory in 1994 with his movement Forza Italia (Go Italy!).

Although his first tenure as prime minister lasted only nine months, he made a comeback in 2001 after a populist campaign promising economic growth and job creation, even signing a “Contract with Italians” live on television.

Berlusconi served as prime minister three times, making him the longest-serving premier in post-war Italian history.

He was compelled to resign during the financial crisis when Italy faced significant economic pressure due to its debt burden as the eurozone’s third-largest economy.

Berlusconi’s leadership divided Italians, not only due to his policies, such as his controversial decision to join the US-led invasion of Iraq, but also because of his overall approach to life. Despite passing laws to protect him and his allies, prosecutors continually pursued him throughout his time in office.

Despite facing multiple court cases—claiming to have gone through 86 trials by 2021—Berlusconi managed to avoid spending time behind bars and successfully appealed convictions for fraud and corruption earlier in his political career.

In 2013, he did receive a definitive conviction for tax fraud, leading to community service in a care home for Alzheimer’s patients. Although he had long been suspected of ties to the mafia, he vehemently denied any connection.

On the international stage, Berlusconi gained attention for his friendships with figures like Libya’s Moamer Kadhafi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, even controversially defending Putin after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Known for his nontraditional diplomatic style, Berlusconi once compared a German European MP to a Nazi and referred to US President Barack Obama as “suntanned.”

Berlusconi’s image suffered further damage when explicit details emerged about his sex parties at his Milan villa, involving a private disco and a highly embarrassing trial.