Silvio Berlusconi

Silvio Berlusconi's rise to prominence began in the 1970s with Edilnord, a construction company he founded that developed Milano Due, a large residential complex. The profits from this venture provided the capital for his expansion into the media industry. He acquired TeleMilano, a small cable television company, which he transformed into Canale 5, Italy's first national private television station.

This marked the beginning of his media empire, Fininvest, established in 1975. Berlusconi strategically built a network of television channels, including Italia 1 and Rete 4, and launched international sister networks in France, Germany, and Spain. His media holdings eventually included three of Italy's main TV channels and the country's largest publishing company, making him a dominant force in Italian media.

He also owned the renowned football club AC Milan from 1986 to 2017.

Berlusconi entered politics in January 1994, founding the center-right party Forza Italia. Capitalizing on a period of political upheaval and public distrust in traditional parties following corruption investigations (Mani Pulite), he quickly gained traction. His party won the 1994 general election, making him prime minister for the first time.

Although this government collapsed after nine months, Berlusconi returned to power in 2001, serving until 2006, and again from 2008 to 2011. His nine years in office made him the longest-serving post-war prime minister of Italy and the third-longest-serving since unification. He led center-right coalitions, often including parties like Lega Nord and the National Alliance, and was known for his populist appeal and focus on economic policies like tax reduction.

A defining characteristic of Berlusconi's career was the intricate relationship between his vast business interests and his political power. As the owner of Mediaset, Italy's largest commercial broadcaster, and with significant influence over other media outlets, critics frequently raised concerns about conflicts of interest. Accusations included benefiting from government policies that favored his companies and using his media control to bolster his political campaigns.

His supporters, however, often highlighted his business acumen as a strength that could be applied to governing the country, emphasizing his leadership skills and strong foreign relations, particularly with the United States and Russia.

Berlusconi's political career was consistently shadowed by legal battles and controversies. He faced numerous trials and investigations, most notably a conviction for tax fraud in 2013 by the Supreme Court of Cassation. This resulted in a prison sentence, which he served through community service due to his age, and a two-year ban from holding public office.

His expulsion from the Senate followed. Despite these legal setbacks and accusations of authoritarian tendencies and scandals related to his private life, Berlusconi remained a central figure in Italian politics, leading Forza Italia until his death. His populist style and rhetoric, often termed 'Berlusconism,' profoundly reshaped Italy's political landscape, leaving a legacy that continues to be debated by historians and political analysts.

Even after his ban from holding legislative office ended, Berlusconi remained politically active. He was elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) in 2019. In 2022, he returned to the Italian Senate, winning a seat in the general election.

He continued to lead his party, Forza Italia, during this period. Silvio Berlusconi passed away on June 12, 2023, from complications related to chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. At the time of his death, Forbes estimated his net worth at US$6.8 billion, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in Italy.

His death marked the end of a significant and often polarizing era in Italian history, and he was honored with a state funeral.