Silvio Berlusconi gestures in advance of a 2016 soccer match between his AC Milan and SS Lazio in Milan, Italy.
Marco Luzzani | Getty Illustrations or photos
Silvio Berlusconi, the billionaire media mogul who served as the premier of numerous Italian governments over nine a long time, has died at age 86, Italian media claimed Monday.
CNBC was not capable to right away validate the reviews.
The tycoon experienced from many major conditions, which include Covid-19, which resulted in recurring hospitalizations starting in September 2020.
Born Sept. 29, 1936, Berlusconi confronted quite a few scandals and trials over tax techniques and sexual escapades. He was as soon as convicted, but later on cleared, of charges of getting intercourse with an underage nightclub dancer, Karima El-Mahroug, at a person of his wild “bunga bunga” get-togethers.
Berlusconi was the managing shareholder of Mediaset, Italy’s most significant professional broadcaster.
In June 2023, his fortune was believed at all around $7 billion. He also owned the Italian football club A.C. Milan from 1986 to 2017.
He led governments — from 1994 to 1995, 2001 to 2006 and 2008 to 2011 — and considering the fact that 2019 experienced served as a member of the European Parliament, where by he experienced also served from 1999 to 2001. At a 2009 campaign rally for the duration of his previous stint as leading, he was struck in the face by a mentally sick man wielding a statuette of the Milan cathedral. The bloody assault broke Berlusconi’s nose, minimize his lip and knocked out two tooth.
His nine decades as prime minister manufactured him the third-longest head of governing administration in Italy just after fascist dictators Benito Mussolini and Giovanni Giolitti.
He had promised — but unsuccessful — to market his property in Mediaset when he was key minister.
In 2013, Berlusconi was convicted on costs that he paid for sex with the 17-year-previous El-Mahroug at 1 of his events and was sentenced to seven yrs in jail and banned from public business for lifestyle. Two yrs later, Italy’s highest courtroom purchased him acquitted.
Berlusconi was married twice and experienced five youngsters.
— CNBC’s Sam Meredith contributed to this report.
