A former Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi has passed away at the age of 86.
He died at Milan’s San Raffaele hospital, where he had been since Friday, at around 07:30 GMT on Monday.
Four of his five children and his brother Paolo had been at his bedside.
Berlusconi, a billionaire media mogul, is credited with the transformation of the nation’s politics with polarising policies.
Berlusconi, who is also Italy’s longest-serving premier, gained notoriety for his “bunga bunga” sex parties. He suffered from leukaemia and recently developed a lung infection.
Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party is part of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition, and although he himself did not have a role in government, his death is likely to destabilise Italian politics in the coming months.
His business empire also faces an uncertain future. He never publicly indicated who would take full charge of his MFE company following his death, even though his eldest daughter Marina is expected to play a prominent role.
His passing was mourned by allies and rivals alike.
“We fought, won, lost many battles with him, and also for him we will bring home the goals that we had jointly set ourselves. Farewell Silvio,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.
Enrico Letta, a former center-left premier, wrote on Twitter: “Berlusconi made the history of our country. His death marks one of those moments in which everyone, whether or not they backed his choices, feel affected.”
He stepped down as Prime Minister in 2011, with Italy close to a Greek-style debt crisis.
His reputation also came under threat by allegations that he had hosted “bunga bunga” sex parties with underage women, an allegation he denied.
