Silvio Berlusconi, the billionaire media mogul who served as Italy’s longest-serving premier amid scandals over his sex-fueled parties and allegations of corruption, passed away at the age of 86 on Monday, according to his television network Mediaset. Berlusconi was a former cruise ship crooner who used his television networks and immense wealth to launch his political career. He was both adored for his capable and charismatic statesmanship and reviled for his populist views, which many believed would undermine Italian democracy. His party, Forza Italia, was a coalition partner with current Premier Giorgia Meloni, but he held no position in the government, and his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin put him at odds with Meloni, a staunch supporter of Ukraine. Despite personal scandals, Berlusconi seemed untouchable in the Italian justice system, with many criminal cases ending in dismissals due to the slow-moving system, or he was victorious on appeal. Only one led to a conviction, a tax fraud case that resulted in him losing his Senate seat and being banned from running or holding public office for six years under Italy’s anti-corruption laws. Despite his failures, Berlusconi refused to apologize, insisting that voters were impressed by his brashness and unapologetic attitude.
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