Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, renowned for overcoming scandals throughout his career, has sadly passed away at the age of 86. He died at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan after being treated for a lung infection related to leukaemia in April. Italy’s defence minister expressed deep sorrow over the loss, leading the country to declare a national day of mourning scheduled for Wednesday. Berlusconi, the longest-serving post-war prime minister in Italy, navigated through sex scandals and corruption cases during his political tenure. From 1994 to 2011, the billionaire media tycoon led four governments, though not consecutively.
Last September, Berlusconi’s centre-right Forza Italia party joined a coalition under the right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Ms Meloni paid tribute to her predecessor as a “fighter” and emphasized his profound influence on Italy’s history. Matteo Salvini, her deputy, expressed his heartfelt condolences, describing Berlusconi as a close friend who provided invaluable guidance and generosity. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto lamented the end of an era and conveyed his farewell to Silvio in a tweet, emphasizing the significant void left behind by his passing.
The Italian government has announced a national day of mourning, coinciding with Berlusconi’s funeral at Milan Cathedral on Wednesday. Public buildings across Italy will lower Italian and European flags to half-mast from Monday, according to an official spokesperson. Russian President Vladimir Putin also paid tribute, referring to Berlusconi as a “true friend” and praising his wisdom and ability to make balanced and far-sighted decisions. In April, doctors at San Raffaele revealed that Berlusconi had been battling chronic myelomonocyte leukaemia, a rare form of blood cancer. He also experienced health issues after contracting Covid-19 in 2020. The precise cause of his death has not been officially confirmed.
Silvio Berlusconi, born in Milan in 1936, initially started his career selling vacuum cleaners before establishing a construction company. His life became intricately intertwined with Italian politics, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s history.
