Silvio Berlusconi, former Italian PM, dies at 86

Berlusconi’s outspoken style and brand of humour often raised eyebrows, in Italy and around the world: he once described soon-to-be US President Barack Obama as "handsome, young and also suntanned".

Here are some of his best-known gaffes and quips:

Quote Message: Another reason to invest in Italy is that we have beautiful secretaries... superb girls." from On Italian secretaries

Another reason to invest in Italy is that we have beautiful secretaries... superb girls."

Quote Message: I will try to meet your expectations, and I promise from now on, two-and-a-half months of absolute sexual abstinence [until election day]." from On family values during his 2006 campaign

I will try to meet your expectations, and I promise from now on, two-and-a-half months of absolute sexual abstinence [until election day]."

Quote Message: In Italy there is a man producing a film on Nazi concentration camps - I shall put you forward for the role of Kapo (prison guard) - you would be perfect." from To German MEP Martin Schulz in 2003

In Italy there is a man producing a film on Nazi concentration camps - I shall put you forward for the role of Kapo (prison guard) - you would be perfect."

Quote Message: My children tell me they feel like the families of Jews in Germany must have felt under Hitler's regime." from On persecution by judges

My children tell me they feel like the families of Jews in Germany must have felt under Hitler's regime."

Quote Message: The best political leader in Europe and in the world." from On himself

The best political leader in Europe and in the world."

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Back in 2005, Liverpool fan Mark Radley somehow ended up watching the Champions League final in Istanbul with Silvio Berlusconi.

He told the Watford Observer that he took a wrong turn and ended up sitting in the AC Milan Directors’ box. Thinking it was a communal hospitality area, Radley settled in with his champagne - and didn't even know that he was sitting next to the Italian prime minister.

"At first, he was really patronising, taking the mick completely, and I was pretty deflated as they were three nil up," he recalls.

Liverpool eventually scored three goals to equalise and Radley was euphoric.

“Then I feel this prodding between my shoulder blades and Berlusconi’s going mad, shouting at me in this machine-gun Italian.”

Radley was then bundled out of the suite and handed over to Turkish security.

His story was later adapted by former Hollyoaks actor John Graham Davies into a play.

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Tributes to the former Italian leader have continued to pour in, with Pope Francis sharing his "heartfelt participation" after Berlusconi’s death.

The Pope described Berlusconi as a "protagonist of Italian political life, who held public responsibilities with energetic temperament" in a message to the former leader's eldest daughter Marina Berlusconi.

The UK government has also marked Berlusconi's death, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's official spokesman saying: "Silvio Berlusconi made a huge impact on Italian politics over several decades and our thoughts are with the Italian people and his family."

And former Prime Minister Tony Blair described Berlusconi as a "larger-than-life figure", adding that while many found him controversial "for me he was a leader whom I found capable, shrewd and, most important, true to his word".

Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary, earlier shared a picture of himself with Berlusconi with the words: "Gone is a great fighter."

While there has been some praise for Berlusconi's life achievements and career, others have noted problems with his leadership.

Italian writer and columnist Beppe Severgnini has said Berlusconi gave people a free pass to behave badly at a time when they actually needed a firm hand.

"He convinced Italians that whatever they were doing, they were right," he told the BBC World Service's Newshour programme, adding: "So he was the acquitter-in-chief instead of a commander-in-chief.

"But we needed a leader, not someone who just said, you know, pat pat, you're doing well, don't worry, don't pay taxes, who cares and all that.

Quote Message: So I don't think he was a great maestro of Italian behaviour." from Beppe Severgnini Italian writer and columnist

So I don't think he was a great maestro of Italian behaviour."

silvioberlusconi_officialCopyright: silvioberlusconi_official

Sitting at a desk from the San Raffaele hospital, Silvio Berlusconi made his last video address to the Forza Italia convention in a video on 12 May, Reuters news agency reports.

A film crew reportedly came to the hospital to pre-record the video.

Wearing a suit and surrounded by books and framed pictures, he smiled and appeared to be in good spirits.

In the 20-minute video, he thanked party members for their support after a fight with pneumonia.

He added that the party was the "backbone of this government".

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During his lifetime, Silvio Berlusconi built a vast empire that spanned media, real estate, finance, cinema and sport.

According to Forbes, his business assets are worth about €6bn (£5.15bn).

But he never publicly indicated who should lead his business empire after his death.

The future of his business interests will likely depend on how he has chosen to distribute the 61% stake he had in the family holding company Fininvest between his five children from two marriages.

Will it be equal shares for all, or more for the two eldest children, Marina and Pier Silvio, who have have management roles in the empire since the early 1990s?

People close to the family described Silvio Berlusconi as "the glue" who kept his children united.

There has been no dispute so far over who takes over the empire - that is expected to fall to his oldest child Marina, 56, considered the closest to Silvio.

The big question is whether family unity can be maintained after Berlusconi's departure, and what impact that might have on the future of the TV business on which Berlusconi built his fortunes.

People on the streets of Rome have had a mixed reaction to the news, ranging from sorrow to speculation about the future of Berlusconi's Forza Italia party.

Here's a quick look at what some people have told reporters in the wake of his death.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Quote Message: Is it true? I thought he was immortal. In any case I am sorry; even if I have different beliefs, he is an historic figure for what he did in all these years. Also, beyond politics he was a great businessman. I am surprised." from Daniela Salvati

Is it true? I thought he was immortal. In any case I am sorry; even if I have different beliefs, he is an historic figure for what he did in all these years. Also, beyond politics he was a great businessman. I am surprised."

Quote Message: Look, as far as I am concerned he is a negative part of our political life so I'm not sure how bad that can be [that he's dead]. I do think that the Forza Italia party will surely be strongly destabilised by this.” from Laura Senserini

Look, as far as I am concerned he is a negative part of our political life so I'm not sure how bad that can be [that he's dead]. I do think that the Forza Italia party will surely be strongly destabilised by this.”

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Quote Message: He was a peculiar man, I guess even funny as he was representing a country, but he had his own way to be ironic. I do feel sorry as it’s a life ending.” from Chiara Motta

He was a peculiar man, I guess even funny as he was representing a country, but he had his own way to be ironic. I do feel sorry as it’s a life ending.”

Quote Message: He had his age, he had become a totally marginal figure in politics and in society, but he still was part of our history." from Cristian Valastro

He had his age, he had become a totally marginal figure in politics and in society, but he still was part of our history."

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Silvio Berlusconi faced repeat accusations of historic links to the mafia - including by former mafia members who went on to become informants.

Notably, he was investigated a number of times over his alleged involvement in a series of mafia bombings in 1993 across three Italian cities, which left 10 people dead.

Berlusconi was reportedly accused of encouraging the violence. He always denied any involvement.

Indeed, he claimed to crack down on organised crime while in power.

EPACopyright: EPA

One expression that gained notoriety because of its association with Silvio Berlusconi was bunga bunga.

Chief among the sex scandals that surrounded him was the saga of the notorious "bunga bunga" parties held at his Arcore villa near Milan.

The phrase came to light during a trial at which Berlusconi was accused of paying a Moroccan belly dancer and suspected prostitute for sexual services while she was under the age of 18, but the verdict was overturned on appeal.

Karima El Mahroug told prosecutors in Milan that the events, which resembled orgies, involved Berlusconi and numerous young women stripping off and performing a ritual known as the "bunga bunga".

For her part, Mahroug said she had never worked as a prostitute and denied any sexual relationship with Berlusconi, saying he was just a lonely man who paid to be in the company of young women.

In a biography of Berlusconi published in 2015, the ex-prime minister was quoted as saying the phrase "bunga bunga" originally came from a joke told to him by the Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi. The two men enjoyed a close friendship before Gaddafi was deposed and killed in 2011.

Wherever the expression came from, the "bunga bunga" parties proved to be a lasting stain on Berlusconi's reputation. It was not until February 2023 that he was finally cleared of bribing witnesses to lie about the events.

• Berlusconi, the belly dancer and the bunga bunga parties

EPACopyright: EPA

If you're just joining us, here’s a recap of what’s been happening since the death of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was announced earlier.

• Berlusconi has died aged 86, after being readmitted to hospital last week. He had been suffering from chronic leukaemia, and recently had a lung infection

• A state funeral will be held on Wednesday at Milan Cathedral
• Current Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, released a video describing him as "one of the most influential men in Italy's history"
• Russia's President, Vladimir Putin released a statement on Berlusconi's death, writing: "I have always sincerely admired his wisdom"
• Both AC Milan, which he formerly owned, and AC Monza, who he owned until his death, have paid tributes to Berlusconi

Stay tuned as we bring you more reaction and detail throughout the day.

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Paolo Maldini, who captained AC Milan for eight years, has posted a tribute on Instagram to Berlusconi, who used to own the club.

He writes: "Thank you for everything President, you made all of us Milan fans live a dream that lasted more than 30 years, no one will ever be like you."

EPACopyright: EPA

Forza Italia, the party that Berlusconi was the head of, has paid tribute to the former leader.

They said: "We wish we would never let you go. Goodbye President”

As we have been reporting, Silvio Berlusconi died at Milan's San Raffaele hospital aged 86, where he had been receiving treatment since Friday.

Some members of his family have been seen in cars outside the hospital, including his daughter Barbara Berlusconi and his brother Paolo.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

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In 2018 I interviewed Silvio Berlusconi ahead of a general election.

At the end of our conversation, with the cameras still rolling, we shook hands.

Quick as a flash, he said to me: “Don’t shake hands so strongly! Men will be frightened of you, and no-one is going to marry you!”

When I replied, suggesting a firm handshake was a good thing, he insisted he was only joking: “You’ve got to joke every once in a while.”

He then proceeded to teach me how to shake hands properly. “Let’s try this again”, he said. “No, no! Too strong! Any man will think you are trying to beat them up!”

When the piece was published, many condemned him for his sexism and his lack of respect towards a female reporter. But others – especially at home in Italy – thought the exchange was funny and harmless.

In my 10 years as a BBC journalist no other political interviewee has introduced this level of awkwardness. But having grown up in the Italy of Berlusconi, I wasn’t shocked.

If anything, I reflected on the fact that there were at least six cameras filming our interview. Berlusconi knew exactly what he was doing.

He wanted to be filmed making a joke. Because, he may have figured, that for as many people who would condemn him, there were just as many who would applaud the authenticity of a man who wasn’t going to conform to perceived political correctness.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

More now on the tribute from Russia's President, Vladimir Putin.

The pair had been friends for years, being photographed together on numerous occasions.

He wrote that Berlusconi was a “true friend”.

Putin said: "For me, Silvio was a dear person, a true friend. I have always sincerely admired his wisdom, his ability to make balanced, far-sighted decisions even in the most difficult situations."

EPACopyright: EPA

At the daily European Commission press briefing in Brussels, the chief spokesperson extended his sympathy to Silvio Berlusconi's family and the Italian people – but there were no pre-approved words on behalf of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The splash of colour Berlusconi brought to a world of men in grey suits in Italy was lapped up by the electorate at home but less welcomed by his diplomatic partners.

There was the Nato summit where Berlusconi made the host - Germany's then-Chancellor Angela Merkel - wait at the entrance while he took a phone call.

The comments about President Barack Obama’s “suntan” were met with bafflement and accusations of racism.

And then there was the closest of relationships with Russian President Vladimir Putin, epitomised by their exchange of gifts, notably the “Putin bed” which was said to take pride of place in his infamous Milan mansion.

For many of his fellow European leaders wanting to project their own stability and seriousness, he was a loose cannon to be handled with caution.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

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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.