Silvio Berlusconi: The charismatic Italian premier chased by controversy

Humble beginnings and ambitious drive

Born in Milan, a city known for its elegance and beauty, his early life coincided with the tumultuous years preceding World War II — a period that would shape Italy and Europe.

Berlusconi came from humble beginnings. He started his career selling vacuum cleaners while pursuing his passion for singing in nightclubs and on cruise ships. However, his ambition and drive led him to pursue higher education, culminating in his graduation from law school in 1961.

Eager to carve his path in the business world, he established Edelnord, a construction company primarily focused on housing projects in Milan. A decade later, he ventured into the media industry, establishing a local company that supplied television channels. This marked the beginning of his multifaceted involvement in media, politics, and sports.

Charisma and scandal

Berlusconi's charismatic persona ensured he never went unnoticed, captivating public interest and curiosity through his statements, approach, and behaviour. His diverse range of hobbies, professions, and scandalous personal life made it difficult to pin down his character.

One peculiar incident grabbed headlines on 1 April 2010, when Berlusconi stooped to kiss the hand of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The incident garnered a furry of speculation with commentators weighing in on whether the gesture was a mere courtesy, an attempt to secure business deals, a continuation of the Italian-Libyan friendship treaty, or a means to further Italy's apology in 2008 for its colonial past in Libya, which spanned over three decades from 1911.

Close friendship with Putin

Controversial figure Silvio Berlusconi himself had a strong personal friendship with Vladimir Putin. Amid his struggle with an incurable disease, the former prime minister chose to focus his recent appearances on the political scene exclusively on the war in Ukraine and his unwavering defence of his "eternal friend" Vladimir Putin, with whom he shared personal and familial ties.

Last October, a leaked audio recording of Berlusconi was published, revealing his close relationship with President Putin and their exchange of gifts. The leaks included Berlusconi's statement: "Putin had no choice but to launch his own operation in Ukraine and reach Kyiv to overthrow the government."

All of this made Berlusconi an extremely embarrassing ally for the populist Prime Minister, Georgina Meloni, who strongly supports a European and Atlantic position. However, the necessary participation of Berlusconi's party within the government majority prevented her from separating from him.

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One of the most notable tributes to Silvio Berlusconi on the day of his death came from Meloni, who referred to him as "the most influential politician in the history of modern Italy."

Political resilience

Since the mid-1990s, Berlusconi had embodied the new face of Italian politics and earned the title of "knight." However, this did not spare him from the embarrassment of a string of failures and scandals. Yet, strangely enough, Italy forgave him, re-elected him, and allowed him to remain on the political stage.

Convicted of tax evasion, Berlusconi was expelled from the Senate in November 2013 and barred from participating in parliamentary elections for six years, after which he was elected to the European Parliament in 2019.

Berlusconi faced trials in over 20 judicial cases. Amid a fierce battle with the judiciary, he referred to himself as "the most persecuted man in Italy," relentlessly pursued by judges wearing "red robes", alluding to the colour associated with communism.

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Political rise, setbacks...and rise again

In the 1970s and 1980s, Italy experienced a period of instability, terrorism, mafia activities, corruption, and intense political struggle between the Christian Democrats and the Communists.

It was in this climate that  Berlusconi's political rise began in the mid-1990s. Italy was reeling from corruption scandals exposed by the Clean Hands Campaign, and Berlusconi — a media mogul — saw an opportunity to appeal to the disillusioned electorate of the Christian Democrats after the party's tragic demise.

Starting from Rome, where a political void needed to be filled urgently, Berlusconi capitalised on his leadership skills and control over the media.

He managed to form a new government alongside his allies in the Northern League and the heirs of the National Alliance (the precursors to Georgina Meloni's party). At 58, Berlusconi made history by becoming the first businessman to ascend to power at the helm of European democracy, taking charge of Palazzo Chigi.

However, Berlusconi's government was short-lived as his Northern League allies betrayed him, leading to his resignation within a few months. Nevertheless, this setback didn't deter him from making a triumphant return and serving as prime minister from 2001 to 2005.

He became the longest-serving prime minister in Italian history, known for the frequent changes in governments during his tenure. However, his last return to power during the eurozone crisis and austerity plans in November 2011 was not as triumphant, and he was once again forced to leave Chigi Palace.

It is challenging to encompass all the details and circumstances of Berlusconi's political journey, as he had his share of successes and frustrations. He was a patriotic Italian and European through and through, but also a realist at his core, reflecting the spirit of Machiavelli, a fellow countryman.

He inspired politicians like former US President Donald Trump, advocating for the integration of politics and business within the framework of unrestricted globalisation.

History will remember Silvio Berlusconi for his rich, fascinating, and eventful life, mired in scandal but also in praise.