ROME, June 12 (AFP): Silvio Berlusconi, who dominated Italian public life for decades as a billionaire media mogul, businessman and prime minister, has died aged 86.
The larger-than-life character, who once compared himself to Jesus, was Italy's longest serving premier but was also plagued by scandal.
Despite being diagnosed with leukaemia, he was active in politics to the end as a senator and partner in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's rightwing government.
Berlusconi also wielded huge influence through his television and newspaper interests-he effectively invented commercial TV in Italy-his ownership of AC Milan football club, and his sheer wealth, as Italy's richest person for a decade.
Long before Donald Trump parlayed his business success into a White House bid, Berlusconi charmed millions of Italians by presenting himself as a self-made man who enjoyed life and spoke his mind, even to the extent of insulting fellow leaders.
To his critics, however, the right-winger was a tax-evading playboy who used his vast media empire to further his political career, and then exploited his power to protect his business interests.
Meanwhile, Italian former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, who has died aged 86, will have a state funeral in Milan's cathedral, the local diocese said Monday.
"Silvio Berlusconi's state funeral will take place on Wednesday June 14 in the Milan Duomo," the diocese in the northern Italian city said on its website.
© 2026 - All Rights with The Financial Express
