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Silvio Berlusconi, the tycoon-turned-politician and former Italian prime minister, has has died in Milan at the age of 86.
The right-wing leader, born in Milan on September 29, 1936, was widely known for his financial and sex scandals, but also transformed Italian politics. His dominance over the electoral sphere influenced the views of a generation of Italians.
Often compared with former US President Donald Trump, Berlusconi made his first fortune in real estate and construction, then slowly expanded, notably to the world of mass media.
Between the late 1970s and 1980s, he built a media empire. It included a publishing house and popular cable TV network, Mediaset, that was recognised as the biggest competitor to Italy’s state-owned television.
In 1986, he bought the popular AC Milan football team, saving it from certain bankruptcy.
It was not until 1994, however, that “the Knight” – Berlusconi’s popular nickname, entered the realm of Italian politics.
With the foundation of a new right-wing party, Forza Italia (Go Italy), a new era of Italian politics began, and Berlusconi secured his first election as prime minister that same year.
Although Berlusconi’s first mandate only lasted a year, as he was accused of fraud and criticised for his control of Italian media, he maintained his political power.
His promises of economic growth attracted new voters, which led him to win elections again in 2001 and 2008.
He remained in power until the end of 2011, when he stepped down after losing parliament’s trust following a highly-publicised sex scandal.
