Former Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi dies at 86

Silvio Berlusconi, former prime minister of Italy, has passed away at the age of 86, Corriere della Sera reports.

Berlusconi died at the San Raffaele hospital, in Milan; he was taken back there on 9 June, after a short break in hospitalisations. His previous hospitalisation lasted 45 days — he was suffering from chronic myelogenous leukaemia and pneumonia.

Berlusconi was born in 1936 in Milan. In 1994, he founded the Forza Italia political movement, which later became a political party.

Berlusconi served as the prime minister of Italy four times — in 1994-1995, 2001-2005, 2005-2006, and 2008-2011. Forza Italia is currently part of the ruling coalition.

Italy adopted the euro under Berlusconi’s government. The politician was also able to build a good relationship with Russia: he and Vladimir Putin had a long-lasting friendship. 

Berlusconi faced many court trials: around 80 cases were opened against him throughout his life, however all of them were closed either due to the statute of limitations, reconciliation of the parties, or Berlusconi being acquitted.