Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has passed away at the age of 86. Berlusconi, who faced controversies such as sex scandals and corruption allegations, was confirmed dead at Milan’s San Raffaele hospital.
In April, he had been treated for a lung infection related to a previously undisclosed case of chronic leukemia.
Berlusconi, a successful businessman, served as prime minister for four terms from 1994 to 2011.
After his political career, he led the center-right Forza Italia party and formed a coalition with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Italy’s Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, expressed deep sadness over Berlusconi’s death, stating that it marked the end of an era. Berlusconi’s cause of death has not been officially confirmed.