Italy's Silvio Berlusconi: The controversial showman

Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has died aged 86 after suffering from serious health problems that kept him in hospital over the last few months. He was first&nbsp;hospitalised for a lung infection in 2020 after contracting COVID-19.&nbsp;

Defence Minister&nbsp;Guido Crosetto took to Twitter to mourn Berlusconi's death and said his departure amounted to the end of an era.&nbsp;

"I loved him very much. Farewell Silvio," Crosetto said.

Having been at the centre of Rome's power corridor, not once but thrice, Berlusconi had become extremely frail during the last essay of his life. He was diagnosed with persistent&nbsp;leukaemia and admitted to&nbsp;Milan’s San Raffaele Hospital earlier this year. According to reports he died in the same hospital on Monday morning.&nbsp;

Despite a career tainted by the infamous 'bunga-bunga' sex parties,&nbsp;Berlusconi, nicknamed Il Cavaliere (The Knight), remained one of Italy's most flamboyant politicians.&nbsp;

Berlusconi's death comes a month after he gave his first&nbsp;public address since being hospitalised.&nbsp;Delivering a video message to his Forza Italia party members, Berlusconi said he was ready to get back to work.&nbsp;

“Here I am, here for you, wearing a shirt and jacket for the first time in a month," said the 86-year-old billionaire media mogul in a pre-recorded video.&nbsp;

"I never stopped, not even in the past few weeks. worked on the party's new structure and I'm ready to return to work with you and fight alongside you our fights for freedom," he added.&nbsp;

According to Italian media reports, the video was filmed&nbsp;after Berlusconi was not allowed to leave the hospital by doctors and relatives as he would have tried to attend the party's two-day convention in Milan.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italy-ex-pm-silvio-berlusconi-says-he-is-ready-to-be-back-after-serious-illness-589906">Also read |&nbsp;Italy ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi says he is ready to get back at work after serious illness</a>

<h2>The genesis&nbsp;</h2>

Born in 1936 to a middle-class family, Berlusconi's rise to power is a story that should inspire most, if it is not for his unconventional life choices. As the owner of broadcasting giant Mediaset, he first entered the world of media in 1973 by setting up a small cable television company called TeleMilano.&nbsp;

The channel would later evolve into Canale 5 as Berlusconi bought two more channels before moving his operations to central Milan and broadcasting over the airwaves. This move would eventually pave the way for his modern-day media mogul status as the owner of Mediaset which would also fuel his political aspirations.&nbsp;

<h2>The political life of Berlusconi</h2>

Berlusconi founded Italy's centre-right party Forza Italia in the summer of 1994 to beat the 'communists'. His party pioneered the populist brand of politics in the European country and propelled him to the higher echelons of the bureaucracy.&nbsp;

He won the 1994 general election and became the PM for a brief period before fissures within the coalition forced him to vacate the spot.&nbsp;

In 2001, Berlusconi had a second crack at the position and went on to&nbsp;become the longest-serving PM in Italy's history since the world war. At the pinnacle of his power, Berlusconi in 2006 declared himself "the Jesus Christ of politics".&nbsp;

<h2>The sporting interests of Berlusconi</h2>

Apart from his obvious interests, Berlusconi was known for his sporting taste. He owned the decorated Seria A club AC Milan for over three decades before selling it to Chinese investors for $858 million in 2017.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-serving-as-pm-thrice-to-hosting-bunga-bunga-parties-the-controversial-life-of-silvio-berlusconi-580274" target="_blank">Also read | From serving as PM thrice to hosting 'bunga-bunga' parties - the controversial life of Silvio Berlusconi</a>

After selling his prized team, Berlusconi went on to buy small Lombardy side AC Monza for an estimated $3.4 million. The club went from playing in the third division of Italian football to playing in Seria A within a five-year&nbsp;timespan.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has died aged 86 after suffering from serious health problems that kept him in hospital over the last few months.

Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has died aged 86 after suffering from serious health problems that kept him in hospital over the last few months. He was first hospitalised for a lung infection in 2020 after contracting COVID-19. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto took to Twitter to mourn Berlusconi's death and said his departure amounted to the end of an era. "I loved him very much. Farewell Silvio," Crosetto said. Having been at the centre of Rome's power corridor, not once but thrice, Berlusconi had become extremely frail during the last essay of his life. He was diagnosed with persistent leukaemia and admitted to Milan’s San Raffaele Hospital earlier this year. According to reports he died in the same hospital on Monday morning. Despite a career tainted by the infamous 'bunga-bunga' sex parties, Berlusconi, nicknamed Il Cavaliere (The Knight), remained one of Italy's most flamboyant politicians. Berlusconi's death comes a month after he gave his first public address since being hospitalised. Delivering a video message to his Forza Italia party members, Berlusconi said he was ready to get back to work. “Here I am, here for you, wearing a shirt and jacket for the first time in a month," said the 86-year-old billionaire media mogul in a pre-recorded video. "I never stopped, not even in the past few weeks. worked on the party's new structure and I'm ready to return to work with you and fight alongside you our fights for freedom," he added. According to Italian media reports, the video was filmed after Berlusconi was not allowed to leave the hospital by doctors and relatives as he would have tried to attend the party's two-day convention in Milan. Also read | Italy ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi says he is ready to get back at work after serious illness The genesis Born in 1936 to a middle-class family, Berlusconi's rise to power is a story that should inspire most, if it is not for his unconventional life choices. As the owner of broadcasting giant Mediaset, he first entered the world of media in 1973 by setting up a small cable television company called TeleMilano. The channel would later evolve into Canale 5 as Berlusconi bought two more channels before moving his operations to central Milan and broadcasting over the airwaves. This move would eventually pave the way for his modern-day media mogul status as the owner of Mediaset which would also fuel his political aspirations. The political life of Berlusconi Berlusconi founded Italy's centre-right party Forza Italia in the summer of 1994 to beat the 'communists'. His party pioneered the populist brand of politics in the European country and propelled him to the higher echelons of the bureaucracy. He won the 1994 general election and became the PM for a brief period before fissures within the coalition forced him to vacate the spot. In 2001, Berlusconi had a second crack at the position and went on to become the longest-serving PM in Italy's history since the world war. At the pinnacle of his power, Berlusconi in 2006 declared himself "the Jesus Christ of politics". The sporting interests of Berlusconi Apart from his obvious interests, Berlusconi was known for his sporting taste. He owned the decorated Seria A club AC Milan for over three decades before selling it to Chinese investors for $858 million in 2017. Also read | From serving as PM thrice to hosting 'bunga-bunga' parties - the controversial life of Silvio Berlusconi After selling his prized team, Berlusconi went on to buy small Lombardy side AC Monza for an estimated $3.4 million. The club went from playing in the third division of Italian football to playing in Seria A within a five-year timespan. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Former Italian PM and media mogul Silvio Berlusconi dies aged 86

Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi on Saturday gave his first public address since being hospitalised a month ago. Delivering a video message to his Forza Italia party members, Berlusconi said he was ready to get back to work.

Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi on Saturday gave his first public address since being hospitalised a month ago. Delivering a video message to his Forza Italia party members, Berlusconi said he was ready to get back to work. “Here I am, here for you, wearing a shirt and jacket for the first time in a month," said the 86-year-old billionaire media mogul in a pre-recorded video. "I never stopped, not even in the past few weeks. worked on the party's new structure and I'm ready to return to work with you and fight alongside you our fights for freedom," he added. The party members watching the 20-minute video clapped enthusiastically at the end while some could be seen wiping away a tear or two. According to Italian media reports, the video was filmed on Friday after Berlusconi was not allowed to leave the hospital by doctors and relatives as he would have tried to attend the party's two-day convention in Milan. ALSO READ | From serving as PM thrice to hosting 'bunga-bunga' parties - the controversial life of Silvio Berlusconi Having been diagnosed with persistent leukaemia, Berlusconi was admitted to Milan’s San Raffaele Hospital on April 5. He spent two weeks in the intensive care unit before being moved to a general ward in mid-April. Berlusconi's health has deteriorated in recent years. In 2016, he had open heart surgery and three years later, an intestine surgery. He was hospitalised for Covid-related pneumonia in September 2020. Later, he developed complications linked to Covid and was admitted several times the next year. According to reports, he also had prostate cancer. Berlusconi's party However, despite being a pale shadow of his former self, Berlusconi, nicknamed Il Cavaliere (The Knight) has managed to remain in the news cycle, year after year, despite last serving as the prime minister in 2011. Berlusconi founded Italy's centre-right party Forza Italia in the summer of 1994 to beat the 'communists'. His party pioneered the populist brand of politics in the European country and propelled him to the higher echelons of the bureaucracy. WATCH | Will Silvio Berlusconi woo backers for Italian presidency? × In 2011, he stepped down as the PM. However, to this day, he leads his party and is an elected senator. Currently, his party is a junior member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's coalition government. Earlier this year, Berlusconi was cleared of bribing young showgirls to lie about his notoriously infamous "bunga bunga" parties. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Italy ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi says he is ready to get back at work after serious illness

Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has been diagnosed with leukaemia, reports emerging from the country said on Thursday. Just a day earlier, he was admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital in Milan with breathing problems. The 86-year-old media baron is being treated in a cardiac unit of Milan's San Raffaele hospital. 
 
Doctors say Berlusconi is being treated for a lung infection and has a “chronic blood condition” that is a kind of leukaemia.

Berlusconi’s personal physician, Alberto Zangrillo, signed off on a medical bulletin issued on Thursday afternoon that said Berlusconi “has had for some time” leukaemia in a “persistent chronic phase.”

The 86-year-old media mogul who served three terms as Italy’s premier and now serves in the Senate was admitted to Milan’s San Raffaele Hospital on Wednesday for treatment of what aides indicated was a respiratory problem stemming from a previous infection.

The publication Corriere della Sera daily confirmed that Berlusconi has been diagnosed with leukaemia, a cancer of the blood cells.&nbsp;

According to the Italian news agency Ansa, Berlusconi has started chemotherapy at the hospital. He is in stable condition, the report added.

Berlusconi's daughter Marina and son Luigi reached the hospital on Thursday but did not speak with the reporters.&nbsp;

Berlusconi's Forza Italia party is part of the right-wing coalition headed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. However, he has no role in the government.

"I spoke this morning with Professor (Alberto) Zangrillo (Berlusconi's personal doctor) and he told me that Berlusconi spent a quiet night, his condition is stable," Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani told RAI state television.

"We all want to be optimistic and we hope that the lion will return soon to take charge of the party. He's our political leader and of course, he never gives up," Tajani told the broadcaster.

Berlusconi had earlier spent four days at the same hospital before being discharged last week on March 30. Italian news reports suggest that he is suffering from heart issues also.

Earlier, after the pandemic hit, he was hospitalised for Covid-related pneumonia in September 2020. Later he developed complications linked to Covid and was admitted several times the next year.

Berlusconi had an open heart surgery in 2016 and surgery on his intestine three years later. He has also had prostate cancer.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has been diagnosed with leukaemia, reports emerging from the country said on Thursday. Just a day earlier, he was admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital in Milan with breathing problems.

Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has been diagnosed with leukaemia, reports emerging from the country said on Thursday. Just a day earlier, he was admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital in Milan with breathing problems. The 86-year-old media baron is being treated in a cardiac unit of Milan's San Raffaele hospital. Doctors say Berlusconi is being treated for a lung infection and has a “chronic blood condition” that is a kind of leukaemia. Berlusconi’s personal physician, Alberto Zangrillo, signed off on a medical bulletin issued on Thursday afternoon that said Berlusconi “has had for some time” leukaemia in a “persistent chronic phase.” The 86-year-old media mogul who served three terms as Italy’s premier and now serves in the Senate was admitted to Milan’s San Raffaele Hospital on Wednesday for treatment of what aides indicated was a respiratory problem stemming from a previous infection. The publication Corriere della Sera daily confirmed that Berlusconi has been diagnosed with leukaemia, a cancer of the blood cells. According to the Italian news agency Ansa, Berlusconi has started chemotherapy at the hospital. He is in stable condition, the report added. Berlusconi's daughter Marina and son Luigi reached the hospital on Thursday but did not speak with the reporters. Berlusconi's Forza Italia party is part of the right-wing coalition headed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. However, he has no role in the government. "I spoke this morning with Professor (Alberto) Zangrillo (Berlusconi's personal doctor) and he told me that Berlusconi spent a quiet night, his condition is stable," Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani told RAI state television. "We all want to be optimistic and we hope that the lion will return soon to take charge of the party. He's our political leader and of course, he never gives up," Tajani told the broadcaster. Berlusconi had earlier spent four days at the same hospital before being discharged last week on March 30. Italian news reports suggest that he is suffering from heart issues also. Earlier, after the pandemic hit, he was hospitalised for Covid-related pneumonia in September 2020. Later he developed complications linked to Covid and was admitted several times the next year. Berlusconi had an open heart surgery in 2016 and surgery on his intestine three years later. He has also had prostate cancer. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Former Italy prime minister Silvio Berlusconi diagnosed with leukaemia, battling lung infection

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been admitted to the intensive care at Milan's San Raffaele hospital for heart problems. The 86-year-old media tycoon has made several trips to the hospital in recent years due to repeated bouts of ill health. He came out of the hospital just last week.&nbsp;

Italian news agency Ansa reported that Berlusconi was admitted on Wednesday morning and his condition was "stable".

"He has been admitted to intensive care because a problem caused by an infection has not been resolved but he is speaking," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, a long-time ally of Berlusconi, told reporters in Brussels.

Local media reports suggest that Berlusconi was taken to the hospital after complaining of breathing problems.&nbsp;Reportedly, as per some sources in Forza Italia, Berlusconi is in intensive care and is being treated in a cardiac unit.&nbsp;

San Raffaele Hospital did not respond to a request for comment. A statement on Berlusconi's condition was expected to be made on Wednesday evening.

Berlusconi had earlier spent four days at the same hospital before being discharged last week on March 30. Italian news reports suggest that he is suffering from heart issues.

Earlier, after the pandemic hit, he was hospitalised for Covid-related pneumonia in September 2020. Later he developed complications linked to Covid and was admitted several times the next year.

Berlusconi had open-heart surgery in 2016 and surgery on his intestine three years later. He has also had&nbsp;he&nbsp;prostate cancer.

Berlusconi's Forza Italia party is one of the members of&nbsp;Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition. However, he does not have a role in the government.

Berlusconi's fortune is largely due to his commercial television channels. He shot into the international limelight as the owner of European soccer champions AC Milan, much before he entered politics in 1994.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been admitted to the intensive care at Milan's San Raffaele hospital for heart problems. The 86-year-old media tycoon has made several trips to the hospital in recent years due to repeated bouts of ill health.

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been admitted to the intensive care at Milan's San Raffaele hospital for heart problems. The 86-year-old media tycoon has made several trips to the hospital in recent years due to repeated bouts of ill health. He came out of the hospital just last week. Italian news agency Ansa reported that Berlusconi was admitted on Wednesday morning and his condition was "stable". "He has been admitted to intensive care because a problem caused by an infection has not been resolved but he is speaking," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, a long-time ally of Berlusconi, told reporters in Brussels. Local media reports suggest that Berlusconi was taken to the hospital after complaining of breathing problems. Reportedly, as per some sources in Forza Italia, Berlusconi is in intensive care and is being treated in a cardiac unit. San Raffaele Hospital did not respond to a request for comment. A statement on Berlusconi's condition was expected to be made on Wednesday evening. Berlusconi had earlier spent four days at the same hospital before being discharged last week on March 30. Italian news reports suggest that he is suffering from heart issues. Earlier, after the pandemic hit, he was hospitalised for Covid-related pneumonia in September 2020. Later he developed complications linked to Covid and was admitted several times the next year. Berlusconi had open-heart surgery in 2016 and surgery on his intestine three years later. He has also had he prostate cancer. Berlusconi's Forza Italia party is one of the members of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition. However, he does not have a role in the government. Berlusconi's fortune is largely due to his commercial television channels. He shot into the international limelight as the owner of European soccer champions AC Milan, much before he entered politics in 1994. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi in intensive care due to heart issues: Reports