Former AC Milan owner and Italian President Silvio Berlusconi dies aged 86
Silvio Berlusconi, the ex-Italian PM who bounced back from sex humiliations and corruption charges, has passed away aged 86.
Italian press said he passed away at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan.
Silvio Berlusconi, scandal-ridden ex-Italian prime minister, dies aged 86:
In April, Berlusconi was ministered for a lung disease related to chronic leukaemia. His demise leaves a “huge void”, Italy’s defence minister expressed. A dazzling billionaire media tycoon, Berlusconi first came to office in 1994 and led four governments till 2011.
He ruled the centre-right Forza Italia party, which went into a union under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after elections in September when he was selected to Italy’s upper house, the Senate.
Replying to the news, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini expressed he was “broken” and thanked Berlusconi for his “friendship”, “advice” and “generosity”. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto stated: “An era is over… Farewell Silvio,” Mr Crosetto tweeted. His death left a “huge void”, he continued.
The ex-leader had been suffering from a rare condition of blood cancer, chronic myelomonocyte leukaemia, physicians at San Raffaele disclosed in April. So far, there has been no official proof of the primary cause of the demise. He has had repeated health issues since having Covid in 2020.
Born in 1936 in Milan, Berlusconi started his career vending vacuum cleaners before setting up a construction firm.
He became one of Italy’s wealthiest men, creating a vast business empire with television networks, publishing businesses and advertising companies.
On top of that, he earned global recognition as owner of the legendary football team AC Milan – which he saved from bankruptcy in 1986 – before entering politics in the 1990s.
Berlusconi was a polarising leader. Supporters hailed him for his business insight and populist verve but were cursed by critics for his indifference to the rule of law.
The world of sports even paid homage. “I have lost my brilliant friend,” said the ex-football manager Arrigo Sacchi, whose Milan squad won the Champions League for successive years.
Berlusconi quit AC Milan ownership in 2017 and purchased the Monza football club, bringing it from Serie B to Serie A.
“Forever with us. A void that can never be filled. Thanks for everything, President”, said Monza in a message.
