Silvio Berlusconi, the 86-year-old senator and former Italian Prime Minister, has died. Berlusconi, the leader of the Forza Italia party, was admitted to the hospital on Friday. He died at Milan's San Raffaele hospital on Monday, as per news agency ANSA. His brother and his children were present at the hospital, where he had been admitted, sources close to the family told ANSA. He is survived by his 33-year-old girlfriend Marta Fascina, two ex-wives and five children.
The former Italian premier had returned to the Milan hospital less than a month ago after spending 45 days there for treatment of a lung infection related to his leukaemia, including 16 days in intensive care.
Silvio Berlusconi served as Italy's prime minister on three separate occasions i.e. 1994-1995, 2001-2006, and 2008-2011. He stepped down from his final term in 2011 amid Italy's impending debt crisis and numerous scandals.
In late 2012, Berlusconi was convicted of tax fraud, resulting in a year-long sentence. He fulfilled his punishment through part-time community service at a residential home in Milan. However, his ban on running for office was lifted in time for the 2018 general elections.
Berlusconi led the centre-right Forza Italia party which went into coalition under incumbent Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after elections in September, when he was elected to Italy's upper house, the Senate.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto on Twitter said Berlusconi's death leaves a "huge void".
Former Premier Matteo Renzi recalled Berlusconi’s legacy in a message on Twitter on Monday.
“Silvio Berlusconi made history in this country. Many loved him, many hated him. All must recognize that his impact on political life, but also economic, sport and television, has been without precedence," he said.
League party leader Matteo Salvini called Berlusconi “a great man and a great Italian.”