Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's flamboyant media mogul and politician, has died aged 86
He was prime minister four times - each time it seemed his political career was over, he managed to bounce back
Nine years after he was banned from public office for tax fraud, he was back in parliament, elected to Italy's Senate before he turned 86 in September 2022
It was often his private life - his fondness for surrounding himself with young women, and the ensuing scandals - that made global headlines
He died in hospital in Milan, after being treated for a lung infection and leukaemia
His funeral will be held in Milan Cathedral on Wednesday, the diocese confirmed
Berlusconi was former owner of AC Milan - ex-captain Paolo Maldini has said: "Thank you for everything, president"
Image source, ReutersItaly’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has posted a video tribute to Berlusconi.
The pair frequently disagreed in political circles, but in her video she remembers the billionaire as "one of the most influential men in Italy's history".
She praises his courage and determination, adding: "With him, Italy learned that it should never have limits imposed on it".
Image source, EPABerlusconi celebrating AC Milan's 2007 Champions League win
AC Milan has paid tribute, calling their former president "unforgettable".
In a tweet, external, Milan said: “Tomorrow, we will dream of new ambitions, create new challenges, and seek new victories.
"Which will represent the good, the strong, and the true that lies inside us, in all of us who shared this adventure of binding our lives to a dream called Milan.”
"Thank you, Mr. President. Always with us."
Berlusconi spent much of his time meeting with other world leaders, from presidents to prime ministers, over his long career in politics.
Image source, PA MediaBerlusconi meeting with Tony Blair at Downing Street in 2001
Image source, EPAVladimir Putin, Silvio Berlusconi and George W. Bush in 2002 share a moment at the NATO-Russia summit
Image source, EPASilvio Berlusconi shakes hands with Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi at the Chigi Palace in 2009
Image source, PA MediaBerlusconi met with Margaret Thatcher, former UK prime minister, in 2001
Image source, ReutersFormer US President Barack Obama laughs with Silvio Berlusconi and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at the G20 summit in 2009
Image source, EPABack in 2014, Newsnight interviewed Berlusconi about his relationship with the former German leader Angela Merkel.
The former Italian prime minister was asked about claims he once referred to Merkel using derogatory terms.
"In 20 years of politics, I have never insulted anyone," he said.
During the rare TV interview, Berlusconi told Jeremy Paxman: "I have never had any problems with Angela Merkel.... this has been made up by someone who wanted to turn Angela against me."
You can read the full story here.
Image source, Getty ImagesReal Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, who twice won the Champions League with AC Milan under Berlusconi's ownership, has tweeted a tribute, external.
"Today's sadness doesn't erase the happy moments spent together," he writes before calling Berlusconi a "loyal, intelligent, sincere man," who was fundamental to his journey as a player and coach.
Brothers of Italy, the political party which heads Italy's government, has tweeted in remembrance of Berlusconi.
The right-wing party is relatively new, formed only in 2012, but they hold a majority of seats in both the Chamber of Deputies and Senate.
It's led by Giorgia Meloni, who was elected prime minister in 2022.
Some of their main ideologies include opposing gay marriage and immigration, as well as the need to improve Italy's declining birth rate.
In a tweet, the party wrote: "Heartfelt thoughts to his family and loved ones.
"We will remember him as one of the most important, decisive and appreciated figures in Italian political history."
Berlusconi and Meloni had a tense relationship, as he once described her as "patronising, bossy, arrogant and offensive".
The pair frequently clashed and challenged each others politics.
AC Monza, the football team in Italy's top division owned by Silvio Berlusconi since 2018, has paid tribute to the billionaire on its website.
The statement writes: "Forever with us.
"Adriano Galliani and all AC Monza mourn the loss of Silvio Berlusconi.
"A void that can never be filled, forever with us. Thank you for everything President."
Image source, ReutersWe'll bring you more reaction and tributes following the death of Italy's eccentric former prime minister throughout the day, but you can read his full obituary here
Image source, Getty ImagesBerlusconi and Renzi in 2022
Former Prime Minister and leader of the political party Italia Viva, Matteo Renzi, has paid tribute to Berlusconi.
In a lengthy tweet, he said Berlusconi made history.
He wrote: "Many loved him, many hated him: everyone today must recognize that his impact on political but also economic, sporting and television life was unprecedented.
"Today Italy mourns together with its family, its loved ones, its companies, its party. To all those who loved him, my most affectionate and most sincere embrace.
"In these hours I carry with me the memories of our meetings... of our agreements, of our clashes."
He also wrote of a phone call with Berlusconi, where the tycoon made him emotional when speaking about Renzi's mother.
Image source, ReutersA media presence is starting to build outside the San Raffaele hospital where former Italian Prime Minister and media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi has died at the age of 86.
He had been treated for a lung infection in February, which was linked to a case of chronic leukaemia, which had been previously undisclosed.
Berlusconi had been in and out of hospital at various points this year, and was readmitted last week.
Guido Crosetto, Italy's defence minister, has paid tribute to Berlusconi - saying the former Italian prime minister leaves behind a "huge void".
"An era is over, an era is closing," Crosetto said in a tweet, external.
"I loved him so very much.
"Goodbye Silvio."
Image source, ReutersSilvio Berlusconi pictured in Rome in 2011
The former four-time prime minister appeared in court many times over the years and once claimed to have made 2,500 appearances in 106 trials, over a period of two decades.
Charges against him included embezzlement, tax fraud and false accounting, and attempting to bribe a judge.
He would often accuse prosecutors of pursuing a political vendetta against him, while denying wrongdoing.
Though he was acquitted or had his convictions overturned on several occasions, he was convicted of tax fraud in 2013 - which barred him from political office for a number of years.
For this he had to do community service at a Catholic care home in Milan.
Image source, GetSilvio Berlusconi launched his political career in 1993, swiftly rising to become Italy’s prime minister following the 1994 election
Image source, Getty ImagesBut his first stint at PM was equally short-lived and he was forced out of office by the end of the same year, following a confidence vote
Image source, Getty ImagesBut Berlusconi would make his comeback less than a decade later, serving as PM once again between 2001 and 2006
Image source, EPAAfter two years out of government, Berlusconi began his final stint as PM between 2008 and 2011 - becoming one of the most recognisable faces in European politics during the global financial crash
Silvio Berlusconi enjoyed a long political career marked by dazzling highs - and scandalous lows.
Here’s a look back at his career:
1990s - Berlusconi founded his political party, Forza Italia, in 1993 - and a year later he became prime minister, leading a right-wing coalition government. In 1996, he lost the elections to a left-wing party led by Romano Prodi.
2001-2006 - He returned as prime minister, to lead the longest-serving government in Italy since World War Two. He was accused of embezzlement, tax fraud and false accounting, and attempting to bribe a judge, some of which he was convicted of and some acquitted. After a four-year trial, he was cleared of corruption in 2004 and in 2006 he again lost to his long-term rival, Prodi.
2007-2011 - After reshaping and renaming his party to People of Freedom, he won a fourth term in the office in 2008. He faced further allegations of affairs and corruption and in 2009, tens of thousands of people took to the streets, calling for his resignation In 2010, he had not only lost voters’ support but also his majority in the parliament. He resigned in 2011.
2013 onwards - His party came within 1% of winning the general election but he was expelled from parliament in a vote over his tax fraud conviction. In 2019 he was elected as an MEP at the European parliament elections. He returned to the Italian Senate after winning a seat in the 2022 Italian general election.
Berlusconi had been suffering from blood cancer for some time, and was being treated at Milan's San Raffaele Hospital.
He had chronic myelomonocyte leukaemia - a rare condition and has had repeated health issues since contracting Covid-19 in 2020.
Image source, ReutersFew Italians have wielded more influence and attracted more controversy than Silvio Berlusconi - the billionaire businessman and four-time prime minister.
Born in 1936 in Milan, Berlusconi began his career selling vacuum cleaners, before setting up a construction company.
He went on to become one of Italy’s richest men, making his fortune through his TV channels and gaining international recognition as the owner of legendary football club AC Milan before going into politics.
He founded his own party, Forza Italia, in 1993 and remained a powerful political figure for the next two decades - in and out of power - successfully brushing off sex scandals and allegations of corruption.
As a media mogul and politician, Berlusconi helped to shape Italy's image for decades.
Jamie Whitehead
Live reporter
Image source, ReutersWe're getting reports from Italy - via the national Corriere della Sera newspaper and the Ansa news agency, that Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian billionaire, senator and four-time prime minister, has died aged 86.
A seasoned politician and media tycoon, he was a divisive figure who dominated Italian politics for three decades.
We’ll be bringing you reaction from Italy, Europe and beyond, so stick with us.