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Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi, dies at 86
Silvio Berlusconi, the former Italian PM who bounced back from sex scandals and corruption allegations, has died aged 86. He died at the San Raffaele hospital in Milan, according to Italian media.
Berlusconi was born in Milan in 1936 and rose to prominence as a media tycoon, building a vast business empire that included TV networks, publishing companies and advertising agencies. He entered politics in the 1990s and quickly made a name for himself as a savvy and charismatic campaigner.
He was a polarizing figure in Italian politics, admired by his supporters for his business acumen and populist appeals, but reviled by his critics for his alleged corruption, sex scandals, and disregard for the rule of law.
Throughout his political career, Berlusconi faced a string of legal troubles, including charges of bribery, tax fraud, and sex with an underage prostitute. He was convicted on several occasions, but managed to avoid jail time due to his age and the expiration of the statute of limitations.
Despite his legal woes, Berlusconi remained a major force in Italian politics and was an influential figure in Italy’s current governing coalition, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
His legacy remains a subject of debate, with some hailing him as a champion of free enterprise and a defender of Italian values, while others see him as a symbol of corruption and moral decay.
Berlusconi’s passing marks the end of an era in Italian politics and media, and leaves a complex and controversial legacy that will be debated for years to come.
(BBC)