Silvio Berlusconi

The media mogul who owned AC Milan from 1986 to 2017.

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During this period, he transformed the club into a dominant force in European football while simultaneously building a vast media empire that included three of Italy's main television channels. Known by the nickname 'Il Cavaliere' (The Knight) for his Order of Merit for Labour—a title revoked by the President in March 2014 due to his tax fraud conviction—Berlusconi served as Prime Minister of Italy in three separate governments between 1994 and 2011. His leadership style, often described as populist, reshaped the Italian political landscape and earned him a reputation as one of the most powerful figures in Western democracy.

Quick Facts

Office: Prime Minister of Italy
President: Giorgio Napolitano
Took office: 8 May 2008
Left office: 16 November 2011
Predecessor: Romano Prodi
Successor: Mario Monti
Born: 29 September 1936
Birthplace: Milan, Kingdom of Italy

Lore & Background

Berlusconi's ownership of AC Milan began in 1986, marking the start of a long tenure that lasted until 2017. The narrative of his business career highlights how he rose into Italy's financial elite in the late 1960s before establishing a media empire. He was a controversial figure who divided public opinion; supporters praised his leadership skills and ability to maintain strong foreign relations, while critics pointed to conflicts of interest arising from his media holdings.

Reader's Guide

He was born on 29 September 1936 in Milan and died on 12 June 2023 from complications of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. His political career included membership in the Chamber of Deputies from 1994 to 2013, followed by a return as an MEP from 2019 to 2022, and a second stint in the Senate starting in 2022. Before his final death, he had previously served in the Senate from March to November 2013. His business empire included Mediaset, which controlled major TV channels, and he held leadership roles in Forza Italia (1994–2009), The People of Freedom (2009–2013), and the revived Forza Italia (2013–2023). At the time of his death, Forbes estimated his net worth at US$6.8 billion, ranking him as the third-wealthiest person in Italy.

Did You Know?

At the time of his death in 2023, he held a seat in the Senate of the Republic, having been elected in the 2022 general election.
He was exempted from direct imprisonment for his 2013 tax fraud conviction because he was aged 77 at the time and the sentence length was under four years, allowing him to serve via unpaid community service instead.