Silvio Berlusconi dies, the end of an era in the history of Italy

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi died today, at the age of 86, a death that marks the end of an era in Italian history, since it changed the way of doing politics, but also left its mark on the business world, communication and sports, during the more than five decades in which he starred in the life of the country.

Berlusconi died this morning surrounded by his five children, his brother Paul and his partner martha fascinates53 years younger than him, at the San Raffaele hospital in Milan, where he was admitted again last Friday, after a brief break, since he had been hospitalized for 44 days after it was revealed that he had been suffering from leukemia for a long time.

The tycoon, who after being a successful businessman revolutionized politics in the 1990s, when he led the conservative Forza Italy (FI) he became the precursor of populism, he will be fired at a state funeral next Wednesday in the cathedral of Milan, his hometown and where he forged all his achievements.

The public funeral chapel is expected tomorrow, Tuesday, although in the end it will not be at the Milanese headquarters of your television, mediasetas planned, due to “matters of public order”since thousands of people are expected to come to say their last goodbye to one of the most beloved Italian politicians.

At the moment the mortal remains of Berlusconi rest in his famous mansion Arcorewhere this afternoon a private wake will be held, waiting to finally find out where their public honors will take place tomorrow.

A fighter and a revolutionary

Despite the fact that his life was dotted with controversy, from his famous parties with young women in Arcore to his possible links with the mafia, today both rivals and allies wanted to remember his facet “historical”.

From the Gemelli hospital in Rome, where he underwent surgery last Wednesday for an abdominal hernia, Pope Francis referred to Berlusconi and his “energetic temperament” as “a protagonist“of Italian political life, while the head of state, Sergio Mattarellalamented with “deep sadness” the death of “a great political leader who left his mark on history” of ItalyChanging “paradigms, customs and language”.

“He was above all a fighter, a man who was never afraid to stand up for his convictions, with courage and determination.”, assured the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloniwho considered itone of the most influential men in the history of Italy”.

So much Melonileader of the far-right Brothers of Italy, as its vice president Matteo Salviniat the head of the also far-right League and both Berlusconi’s partners in the current center-right government coalition, canceled their agenda, while the Chamber of Deputies has suspended its sessions and the Senate, to which Berlusconi returned last October after 9 years of disqualification, he has placed the flag at half up.

A great void for his party and empire

In addition to the political and social commotion caused by the death of Berlusconi, not less than expected, his death shakes his economic empire, which will have to be divided among his five children, but also his party, Forza Italywho is orphaned by his maximum leader and does not have a clear heir.

Berlusconi He kept the reins of the party, which he founded in 1993, while all possible heirs have been disappearing unable to match the businessman’s charisma. His “Dolphin” is the current coordinator of the training and Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, although it is not ruled out that a fight will open to take his place.

But above all, the death of one of the richest men in the country will be an earthquake for Finninvest, with a turnover of 5,000 million euros and more than 20,000 employees and divided into 7 holdings, 4 of them in the hands of “Il Cavaliere” what supposes 60% of the empire and that now will have to be distributed among his five children.

Currently the two children from his first marriage Marina and Piersilvio retain 8% each and those of his second, Barbara, Luigi and Eleonora, add 22%, while Berlusconi’s assets are valued, according to Forbes, at 7,000 million euro.

The tycoon and his young and inseparable companion, Marta Fascina, gave each other the “yes I want” on March 17, 2022 with a symbolic wedding in front of their closest friends in Villa Gernetto, a huge 18th-century mansion in the town of Lesmo (north), because, according to some media, they were not allowed to get married to avoid problems with the inheritance.

Soccer was also his passion

Berlusconi he was also a soccer man. The imprint that he leaves on the beautiful game, signed with a historic Milan that governed for 31 years (1986-2017) is unparalleled with many other works of football architecture. That Milan champion with whom he won 28 titles, including eight “Scudetti” and five Champions Leagues, will always be Berlusconi’s Milan.

“With immense pain I cry to my friend, the master of everything, the person who changed my life for more than 43 years.”, expressed his right hand Adriano Galliani.

“He was a brilliant friend to whom I owe everything. Silvio Berlusconi was a generous man and tried to change this difficult country made of individualists”, said his first coach at Milan, Arrigo Sacchi, through tears.

Source: EFE