After Italian billionaire and media mogul former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was taken to a Milan hospital on Friday for what his aides said were pre-planned medical examinations, Berlusconi died at the age of 86 of leukemia, his spokesman told on Monday .

Edited by| Hugh Gey

Europe  section -  CJ journalist

Rome – June,12,2023

Berlusconi had been admitted to the same hospital six weeks earlier for leukemia and pneumonia.

In a video posted on Monday, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni described Berlusconi as "one of the most influential men in the history of Italy".

"Silvio Berlusconi was a warrior above all. He was a man who was not afraid to defend his convictions and it was precisely his courage and determination that made him one of the most influential men in the history of Italy".

Berlusconi served as prime minister three times between 1994 and 2011 for a total of nine years and was a senator, president of his right-wing party "Forza Italia" and a partner in the coalition government headed by the far-right Giorgia Meloni.

In turn, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani thanked the former prime minister in a tweet posted on Twitter: "great pain.. Simply Thank YOU, PRESIDENT, Thank you Silvio".

Hungarian far-right prime minister Viktor Orban posted a photo of himself with Berlusconi and commented: "The great fighter is gone".

And Berlusconi, an exceptional personality and father of five children from two marriages, found a new girlfriend in 2020 is Marta Fassina, a former model who is 53 years younger than him and a deputy from his party "Forza Italia".

Berlusconi has previously built a marble mausoleum inspired by the Pharaohs at his home in Arcuri near Milan to bury family members and friends when they die.

However, the details of his burial remain unclear.

Berlusconi has been hospitalized several times in recent years, especially after contracting covid-19 in 2020. Although he was re-elected to the Senate last year, his public appearances have been rare.

Berlusconi has retained a special place in the hearts of many Italians, despite a series of sex scandals and court filings that have tarnished his reputation over the years.

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