Silvio Berlusconi is an Italian politician, entrepreneur, real estate tycoon, insurance tycoon, bank and media proprietor, football team owner and songwriter. As of July 2009, Berlusconi is the second longest serving Prime Minister of the Italian Republic, having held the office three separate times. Berlusconi has a large business empire, having founded and owning shares in some of the largest and most successful companies in Italy, including Finnvest (media and finance), Mediolanum SpA (banking and insurance) and he owns football club AC Milan. As of 2009, Berlusconi is the third richest man in Italy, with an estimated fortune of $6.5 billion. Berlusconi has been the subject of numerous controversies, including allegations of mafia links and sex scandals
Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi made a rare appearance for his trial on charges of tax fraud, smiling as he entered the courthouse in Milan... more
Trial of Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi on charges he paid for sex with an underage prostitute was adjourned shortly after it opened in Milan
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Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi may have been handed a brief reprieve when his trial was adjourned - but there is a feeling that his alleged antics might be about to catch up with him
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Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi indicted to stand trial on charges of paying for sex with an underage girl and abuse of power in trying to cover it up... more
Prosecutors today issued a formal request that Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi must face trial on charges of under-age sex and abuse of power... more
Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi at the centre of fresh allegations as it emerges that a second under-age girl attended his "bunga bunga" sex parties... more
Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was attacked by nurses and police after it emerged that women were encouraged to dress in their uniforms for 'lesbian stripper acts' at his parties... more
Silvio Berlusconi faces new charges over claims that he had been the political protector of a Mafia boss and that a call girl was attacked and threatened after sleeping with him... more
Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has been accused of sleeping with two women who were provided for him by a businessman trying to curry favour... more
In July 2008, Berlusconi said “I’m the universal record holder for the number of trials in the entire history of man – and also of other creatures that live on other planets.”
Berlusconi has been married twice, first to Carla Dall’Oglio which resulted in two children, and then to actress Veronica Lario, resulting in three children.
Mr Berlusconi has an ongoing war of words with The Economist magazine, the latter calling Berlusconi ‘unfit to lead Italy’ and Berlusconi referring to the magazine as the ‘Ecommunist’
Berlusconi is known for his various gaffes and jokes which are often described as inappropriate by observers, including complimenting U.S. President Obama on his ‘suntan’, and in a speech to Wall Street Traders convincing them to invest in Italy, Berlusconi said “we have the most beautiful secretaries in the world”, drawing fire from numerous women’s groups and female Members of Parliament in Italy.
In May 2009, Berlusconi’s wife Veronica Lario announced she was going to file for divorce after Berlusconi attended a girl’s 18th Birthday party in Naples, having not attended the 18th birthday parties of his own sons. The girl in question, who calls Berlusconi ‘papi’ (daddy), is said to have spent lots of time with Berlusconi (after his denying of this fact), which has led to suspicions of an inappropriate relationship with the 72 year old Berlusconi
Under Berlusconi, Italy has fostered close relations with the United States, Israel and Turkey, as well as Russia and the countries of the European Union.
Exclusive: After high-profile allegations this season, Charlton's manager is pleased the issue is now being addressed but says the authorities still have plenty of work to do
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