Italy's former PM Silvio Berlusconi dies at 86: This is the health condition he was suffering from

Italy's former Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, was being treated for leukemia. He had been hospitalized since June 9 for check-ups. Silvio Berlusconi passed away on Monday, June 12, aged 86. His children Barbara, Marina, Eleonora, and Pier Silvio were called to hospital early this morning, along with Silvio's brother Paolo. The former PM was pronounced dead at 9:30am.

The Daily Mail reports that the Italian politician had already spent six weeks in hospital this spring for a lung infection related to his leukemia. He was released before eventually being readmitted on June 6, and passing away on June 12.

Silvio Berlusconi was a controversial figure in Italy

The former PM had a political career spanning over 30 years. Silvio Berlusconi was an Italian senator and three-time Prime Minister. He was a controversial figure to say the least, as some adored him, and others despised him. The politician remained at the heart of heated arguments and debates throughout his lifetime, as he had his fair share of the spotlight, between court cases for corruption and sparking controversies.

The Guardian describes the former PM as 'flamboyant'. He managed to come back into political life in 2017, despite his career being tainted by sex scandals, and countless accusations of fraud and corruption. Silvio Berlusconi was convicted of fraud in 2012, for which he was sentenced to a year-long part-time community service. He was also banned from running for office until 2017.

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The former PM was a self-made business man

Born in 1936 in Milan during the rise of fascism in Italy, Silvio Berlusconi began his career in the real estate market in the 1960s, before founding a multitude of companies in various sectors, including finance, insurance, construction and especially the media. He also founded Italy's largest broadcaster, Mediaset.

Silvio Berlusconi led three governments, from 1994 to 2011, and his party Forza Italia is a junior partner in the current ruling coalition led by Giorgia Meloni. He was forced to resign in 2011 amid an acute financial crisis in the country, but came back to politics in 2017.

He is survived by five children and a 33-year-old partner Marta Fascina, who is an MP for Forza Italia, Berlusconi's party. Silvio Berlusconi was also a close friend of Russian president Vladimir Putin, which leaves many wondering whether he will attend his friend's funeral in person.

Read more:Former US President is being compared to Italy's new Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

This article has been adapted from Oh!MyMag FR.

Sources used:

Guardian: Silvio Berlusconi, scandal-ridden giant of Italian politics, dies aged 86