# Silvio Berlusconi

> Italian politician and media tycoon (1936–2023)

**Wikidata**: [Q11860](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11860)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silvio_Berlusconi)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/silvio-berlusconi

## Summary
Silvio Berlusconi was an Italian politician and media tycoon (1936–2023) who founded Fininvest, a major Italian conglomerate controlling media, publishing, banking, and sports assets. He served as Italy's Prime Minister multiple times and was a central figure in Italian politics and media for decades.

## Biography
- Born: September 29, 1936, in Milan, Italy
- Nationality: Italian
- Education: Studied law at the University of Milan
- Known for: Founding Fininvest and shaping Italian media and politics
- Employer(s): Fininvest, Mediaset, AC Milan
- Field(s): Media, politics, entrepreneurship

## Contributions
- Founded Fininvest in 1975, which became a major Italian media and financial conglomerate
- Established Mediaset, Italy's largest commercial broadcaster
- Owned AC Milan football club and other sports teams
- Served as Italy's Prime Minister from 1994 to 1995, 2001 to 2006, and 2008 to 2011
- Launched the Forza Italia political party in 1994
- Published Il Giornale newspaper through Fininvest
- Owned Banca Mediolanum, a major Italian banking group

## FAQs
**What was Silvio Berlusconi's primary business venture?**
Berlusconi founded Fininvest in 1975, which grew into a major Italian conglomerate controlling media, publishing, banking, and sports assets.

**What political parties did Berlusconi lead?**
He founded Forza Italia in 1994 and later The People of Freedom in 2009, serving as Prime Minister for multiple terms.

**Which sports teams did Berlusconi own?**
He owned AC Milan football club and AC Monza, as well as other sports teams through Fininvest.

**What was Berlusconi's role in Italian media?**
He controlled Mediaset, Italy's largest commercial broadcaster, through Fininvest.

**What awards did Berlusconi receive?**
He received numerous awards including the Order of Merit for Labour, the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, and the Medal of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay.

## Why They Matter
Silvio Berlusconi was a dominant force in Italian politics and media for decades. His control over Fininvest and Mediaset shaped Italian television and newspaper content, influencing public opinion and political discourse. As Prime Minister, he implemented significant economic and political reforms, though his tenure was often controversial. His ownership of AC Milan and other sports teams demonstrated his influence beyond politics. Berlusconi's legacy remains a defining feature of modern Italian media and political landscape.

## Notable For
- Founder of Fininvest, one of Italy's largest conglomerates
- Multiple terms as Italy's Prime Minister (1994–1995, 2001–2006, 2008–2011)
- Owner of Mediaset, Italy's largest commercial broadcaster
- Owner of AC Milan football club and other sports teams
- Publisher of Il Giornale newspaper
- Recipient of multiple prestigious awards and honors
- Founder of Forza Italia and The People of Freedom political parties

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Silvio Berlusconi was born on September 29, 1936, in Milan, Italy. He studied law at the University of Milan, where he earned his degree. His early career was in construction before transitioning into media and politics.

### Business Career
Berlusconi founded Fininvest on March 21, 1975, starting as a construction company. The conglomerate expanded into media, publishing, banking, and sports. Key assets included Mediaset, Gruppo Mondadori, Banca Mediolanum, and AC Milan.

### Political Career
Berlusconi entered politics in the 1990s, founding Forza Italia in 1994. He served as Italy's Prime Minister three times:
- First term: 1994–1995
- Second term: 2001–2006
- Third term: 2008–2011

He also founded The People of Freedom in 2009, which later merged with Forza Italia.

### Media Influence
Through Fininvest, Berlusconi controlled Mediaset, Italy's largest commercial broadcaster. He also owned Il Giornale newspaper and Gruppo Mondadori publishing house. His media empire shaped Italian television and newspaper content.

### Sports Ownership
Berlusconi owned AC Milan football club and AC Monza, as well as other sports teams. His ownership demonstrated his influence in the sports industry.

### Awards and Honors
Berlusconi received numerous awards and honors, including:
- Order of Merit for Labour (1901–present)
- Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George (4th century–present)
- Medal of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay (1993–present)
- Order of Stara Planina (1966–present)

### Legacy
Silvio Berlusconi's legacy includes shaping Italian media and politics. His control over Fininvest and Mediaset influenced public opinion and political discourse. His political career and business ventures left a lasting impact on Italy's economic and cultural landscape.

## References

1. [The secret of Silvio Berlusconi's success. BBC Online. 2011](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15629283)
2. [Silvio Berlusconi, la storia di una vita straordinaria: Silvio Berlusconi rimarrà nella storia dell'Italia per le sue capacità imprenditoriali e politiche. TGcom24](https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/politica/silvio-berlusconi-biografia-vita-straordinaria_65933696-202302k.shtml)
3. Catalog of the German National Library
4. [Silvio Berlusconi (1936-2023):. La Repubblica](https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2023/06/12/news/silvio_berlusconi_morto_cavaliere_presidente_forza_italia-395086245/)
5. [È morto Silvio Berlusconi](https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/d/berlusconi-morto)
6. Czech National Authority Database
7. [Silvio Berlusconi: la giovinezza, gli studi e l'amico di tutta una vita. TGcom24. 2023](https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/politica/silvio-berlusconi-la-giovinezza-gli-studi-e-l-amico-di-tutta-una-vita_65934039-202302k.shtml)
8. [Silvio Berlusconi e Veronica Lario hanno divorziato. Tribunale scioglie matrimonio. 2014](https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2014/02/18/silvio-berlusconi-e-veronica-lario-hanno-divorziato/885883/)
9. [Silvio Berlusconi: How the former Italian PM changed Italy. BBC Online](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65878269)
10. BnF authorities
11. Silvio BERLUSCONI: 9th parliamentary term Silvio BERLUSCONI& Other parliamentary activities. Members of the European Parliament
12. [Source](https://dati.senato.it/DatiSenato/browse/6?testo_generico=11&legislatura=19)
13. [Anxiety Over Italy’s Future Devalues Its Bonds, and Spain’s. The New York Times](http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/11/business/global/11iht-eurozone11.html)
14. The Fine Art Archive
15. [Silvio Berlusconi e le sue aziende: una storia da sogno americano. TGcom24](https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/politica/silvio-berlusconi-e-le-sue-aziende-una-storia-da-sogno-americano_65933958-202302k.shtml)
16. [Silvio Berlusconi expelled from parliament. The Independent. 2013](http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/threetime-expremier-silvio-berlusconi-expelled-from-parliament-8967933.html)
17. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20170728005133/http://www.aleqt.com:80/2009/11/22/article_305159.html)
18. Acta Apostolicae Sedis. 2006
19. [ENTIDADES ESTRANGEIRAS AGRACIADAS COM ORDENS PORTUGUESAS](http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154)
20. [Resolución N° 1434/003. ENTREGA DE MEDALLA DE LA REPUBLICA ORIENTAL DEL URUGUAY. SILVIO BERLUSCONI. ITALIA. National Directorate of Official Printings and Publications. 2003](https://www.impo.com.uy/bases/resoluciones/1434-2003)
21. Source
22. International Standard Name Identifier
23. Virtual International Authority File
24. CiNii Research
25. [Francesca Pascale, da ex fidanzata di Berlusconi alle nozze con Paola Turci. FOTO. Sky TG24. 2022](https://tg24.sky.it/spettacolo/2022/07/01/francesca-pascale-foto)
26. Report on the P2 Masonic Lodge
27. [Il pacemaker, il Covid, la leucemia, tutte le battaglie del Cavaliere. Agenzia Giornalistica Italia. 2023](https://www.agi.it/cronaca/news/2023-06-12/berlusconi-tumore-leucemia-battaglie-cav-21797323/)
28. Discogs
29. [Brockhaus Enzyklopädie](https://brockhaus.de/ecs/julex/article/berlusconi-silvio)
30. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
31. Vegetti Catalog of Fantastic Literature
32. Roglo
33. Proleksis Encyclopedia
34. Munzinger Personen
35. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
36. [Source](https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/news-tag/silvio-berlusconi/)
37. [Silvio Berlusconi tests positive for Covid-19 after Sardinia visit. TheGuardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/02/silvio-berlusconi-tests-positive-for-covid-19-after-sardinia-visit)
38. [La leucemia mielomonocitica, l'ultima battaglia di Berlusconi. Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata. 2023](https://www.ansa.it/canale_saluteebenessere/notizie/medicina/2023/06/12/leucemia-mielomonocitica-cura-con-chemio-a-dna_d9df5347-fb9f-4468-b105-cfb69855c290.html)
39. [Chiesto il rinvio a giudizio per Berlusconi. 2005](http://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Cronache/2005/04_Aprile/26/berlusconi.shtml)
40. [Confermata la condanna per Berlusconi: Il Cavaliere ottiene solo lo stop all'interdizione. 2013](http://www.corriere.it/politica/13_agosto_01/berlusconi-cassazione-sentenza_fd399324-fa87-11e2-9aaf-71b689b7d489.shtml)
41. [Tutti i processi di Berlusconi. La Repubblica. 2011](http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2011/05/27/news/i_processi_di_b_-16841936/)
42. [Chiesto il rinvio a giudizio per Berlusconi Con il premier altre 12 persone, tra cui Fedele Confalonieri. Le accuse: frode fiscale, falso in bilancio, appropriazione indebita e, solo per alcuni degli indagati, riciclaggio](http://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Cronache/2005/04_Aprile/26/berlusconi.shtml)
43. [Confermata la condanna per Berlusconi Il Cavaliere ottiene solo lo stop all'interdizione. Corriere della Sera](http://www.corriere.it/politica/13_agosto_01/berlusconi-cassazione-sentenza_fd399324-fa87-11e2-9aaf-71b689b7d489.shtml)
44. [La Repubblica. 1999](http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1999/10/27/all-iberian-prescrizione.html)
45. [Interview de Silvio Berlusconi. 1985](https://www.ina.fr/ina-eclaire-actu/video/cab85110555/interview-de-silvio-berlusconi)
46. BBC Things
47. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
48. Enciclopedia Treccani
49. The Movie Database
50. LIBRIS. 2013