The World Briefly

June 13, 2023

The Fighter’s Last Fight

Italy

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Italian and world leaders paid tribute to former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi after the business mogul-turned-politician passed away Monday, leaving behind a mixed legacy marked by scandals and sex-fueled parties that dogged him throughout his three terms in office, NPR reported.

Local media said Berlusconi died at the age of 86, but no cause of death was given. He was diagnosed with leukemia in April and was hospitalized last week for planned medical checks relating to his condition.

Once a cruise ship singer, Berlusconi – nicknamed “the knight” – formed Italy’s largest media company, Mediaset, before using his fame and wealth to launch his political career, according to NBC News.

He served as Italy’s prime minister in three separate stints between 1994 and 2011, becoming the country’s longest-serving post-World War II premier.

But Berlusconi’s rule was marred by allegations of corruption and tortuous legal battles, alongside a colorful, flamboyant private life.

The former leader came under fire for his antics, including off-color jokes, racist remarks and his friendship with controversial world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and the late Libyan autocrat Muammar Gaddafi.

He gained international infamy for his “bunga bunga” parties, private dinners that allegedly led to shows performed by young, attractive guests. In February, a court acquitted him of charges that included paying a witness to lie in a case concerning underage prostitution that dogged the former prime minister for more than a decade.

Despite facing 35 criminal court cases, only one for tax fraud led to a definitive conviction in 2014. This resulted in his ousting from the Italian legislature – but he stayed on as the leader of his Forza Italia party and was elected as a member of the European Parliament in 2019.

Last year, he made a comeback after being elected to an upper-house seat in the 2022 Italian general elections. His party also joined the coalition government with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Italian political allies and opponents paid tribute to Berlusconi, who divided opinion in the country but remained a cornerstone of Italian life for decades.

Meloni and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini described him as a “fighter” and “a great Italian.” Opposition politician Matteo Renzi acknowledged that “everyone today must recognize that his impact on political but also economic, sporting and television life was unprecedented.”

Condolences also came from Putin, who called Berlusconi “a dear person, a true friend.”

The late leader’s relationship with the Russian president and contentious comments about the Ukraine war had caused headaches for Meloni’s ruling coalition.

This story originally appeared in the June 13, 2023 newsletter, Direction: Hopelessness.