CONTROVERSIAL former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has died aged 86 in hospital, following a battle with cancer.
Former Italian PM Berlusconi was rushed to San Raffaele hospital in Milan just weeks after leaving the intensive care unit following a blood cancer diagnosis.
The controversial European leader had been suffering from leukaemia "for some time" and recently developed a lung infection.
Berlusconi reportedly spent four days at the same hospital in April for treatment, according to news agency Ansa.
His death follows a series of health scares in recent years.
Read our Silvio Berlusconi live blog below for the latest news and updates…
- By Louis Allwood
Silvio Berlusconi once promised a ‘bus full of prostitutes’ to Monza players
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi once promised his Monza players a "bus full of prostitutes" if they were to beat AC Milan or Juventus.
The 86-year-old, who owned AC Milan between 1986 and 2017, bought Monza in 2018.
Berlusconi came out with an outlandish statement in a bid to try and motivate his side to beat one of the big Italian clubs after their promotion.
He said: "We found a new coach, who was at our youth team, he is good, smart, kind, and able to stimulate [motivate] our lads.
"I decided to add an extra stimulation.
"So I told the lads you will play Milan, Juventus, etc, so if you beat one of these big teams, I will have you greeted in the locker room by a bus full of wh***s."
- By Louis Allwood
Silvio Berlusconi once owned AC-Milan
The 86-year-old, who owned AC Milan between 1986 and 2017, bought the team in 2018.
Berlusconi, the three-time Italian premier, sold AC Milan to a Chinese-led consortium for £615m in 2017.
- By Louis Allwood
Tributes paid to Berlusconi
Tributes have been made to the former Italiam PM after his death was announced.
Taking to social media one fan said: "Riposa in pace Silvio!"
A second, using his phrase, said: "He's off to the big bunga bunga party."
- By Louis Allwood
Self proclaimed 'Jesus Christ of politics'
The ex-PM, who previously described himself as the "Jesus Christ of politics", also landed himself in hot water in 2010.
It was alleged that the lothario had abused his position of power to protect a young Moroccan nightclub dancer who was arrested.
Police detained Karima El-Mahroug, known by her stage name 'Ruby the Heart Stealer', for theft – but she was released after Berlusconi claimed she was the niece of then Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
He was charged with paying her for sex when she was just 17 and was found guilty, until he was acquitted in 2014.
An appeals court ruled there was no proof he knew El-Mahroug was a minor.
Berlusconi was also temporarily banned from politics after a conviction of tax fraud in 2013.
- By Louis Allwood
Berlusconi's time in office was full of controversy
His time in office hasn't been without controversy, as the party-loving former leader is well known for his sex scandals and eyebrow-raising jokes.
Berlusconi – who was in a relationship with Forza Italia MP Marta Fascina, 33 – allegedly held lavish "Bunga Bunga" bashes at his villa.
He was accused, but later acquitted, of paying young women for "silence and lies" surrounding the infamous gatherings, which he always insisted were simply elegant dinners.
But guests claimed they were in fact wild sex parties with "orgies", where women stripped and performed "raunchy pole dances".
- By Louis Allwood
Health issues
Berlusconi was hospitalised for Covid-related pneumonia in September 2020, but later recovered.
However, the following year he was admitted several times for complications stemming from the deadly virus.
Berlusconi was forced to undergo open heart surgery in 2016 and surgery on his intestine three years later.
The four-time prime minister, who is fitted with a pacemaker, has also overcome prostate cancer.
- By Louis Allwood
Berlusconi tweeted during his time in hospital
Berlusconi reportedly spent four days at the same hospital in April for treatment, according to news agency Ansa.
The politician had shared a tweet at the time thanking people for their concern alongside a snap of him smiling at home.
Berlusconi wrote: "I have already returned to work on the main themes of these days, ready and determined to commit myself, as I always have, to the country I love."
- By Louis Allwood
Silvio Berlusconi was admitted to hospital again
He was admitted into hospital with heart problems and shortness of breath.
The former prime minister had been hospitalised for a second time in the same hospital from which he was discharged on 19 May after spending 45 days in the facility.
The Forza Italia leader was hospitalised with pneumonia after a diagnosis of blood cancer.
He underwent intensive therapy to battle the disease, but to no avail.
- By Louis Allwood
Former Italian prime minister and media mogul dies aged 86
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has died following a tough battle with leukaemia.
The billionaire media mogul, 86, was dashed to Milan's San Raffaele Hospital on June 9.
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