Silvio Berlusconi, the former Prime Minister of Italy, has died aged 86.
The media tycoon served three separate terms as Prime Minister, first between May 1994 and January 1995, then from 2001 to 2006 and finally from 2008 to 2011.
He was admitted to hospital on Friday as he battled chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and his condition worsened over the weekend.
Berlusconi had previously been taken to hospital in Milan on April 5 with a lung infection stemming from the disease, said Dr Alberto Zangrillo, his personal physician.
News agency ANSA reported on Monday morning that Berlusconi's brother, Paolo, and his daughter Marina had arrived at the Ran Raffaele hospital in Milan.
They were later joined by other family members and it was announced that Berlusconi had died.
Berlusconi made the move into politics after earning his fortune in media, with the Milan-born mogul setting up a local television station in 1973 before going national with his Mediaset empire.
In 1986 he bought football giants AC Milan and, backed by his largesse, the Rossoneri became one of the top teams in Europe, winning Serie A eight times and the Champions League on three occasions, as well as the European Cup twice under his ownership.
Though he sold the club to Chinese investors in 2016 at the time of his death he was the owner of another Serie A side, Monza, near to his home in Arcore.
Berlusconi used his success in football to power his political ambitions, naming his party Forza Italia after a terrace chant at national team matches.
Though he was elected Prime Minister three times he was dogged by legal issues and scandals, though he only faced conviction in one of 32 cases in which he was tried.
His personal life also came under the microscope, with a scandal emerging over Berlusconi's so-called 'Bunga Bunga parties' which saw him engage in sex parties with prostitutes.
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He faced trial for allegedly soliciting minors in relation to the parties, and was initially sentenced to seven years in prison and banned from public office for life. However, the charges were dropped on appeal.
Berlusconi was also known for his controversial public statements, including comments about women in politics, alleged Islamophobic pronouncements and telling earthquake victims who had lost their homes they should view the experience as being like a camping weekend.
Other comments which caused controversy included saying Italy would not accept illegal immigrants with the exception of "beautiful girls" and allegedly calling German chancellor Angela Merkel an "un****able lard-arse", which he denied.
He had experienced health issues in recent years, undergoing heart surgery in 2016 and surgery for a blocked intestine in 2019.
Despite that Berlusconi remained politically active, with Forza Italia forming part of the right-wing coalition which was elected to government last year.
Arrigo Sacchi, the coach of the Milan team which won back-to-back European Cups said in a tearful interview with ANSA: "It hurts, despite everything I didn't expect it.
"Silvio Berlusconi was a generous man and he tried to change this difficult country which is formed of individualists.
"He was a brilliant friend to whom I owe everything."
Silvio Berlusconi ha fatto la storia in questo Paese. Tanti lo hanno amato, tanti lo hanno odiato: tutti oggi devono riconoscere che il suo impatto sulla vita politica ma anche economica, sportiva, televisiva è stato senza precedenti. Oggi l’Italia piange insieme alla famiglia,…
— Matteo Renzi (@matteorenzi) June 12, 2023
Matteo Renzi, another former Prime Minister, wrote on Twitter: "Silvio Berlusconi made history in this country.
"Many loved him, many hated him: everyone today must recognize that his impact on political but also economic, sporting and television life was unprecedented.
"Today Italy cries together with his family, his loved ones, his companies, his party. To all those who loved him, my most affectionate and most sincere embrace.
"In these hours I carry with me the memories of our meetings... of our agreements, of our clashes.
"But above all a phonecall in which Silvio, not 'The President' brought me to dears speaking about my mother.
"We'll miss you, Pres, may the earth rest lightly upon you."
Government minister Andrea Abodi said: "I knew him for many years, an incredible man.
"He leaves an enormous hole in our country and in the world of sport which he characterised."
He is survived by five children, Marina, Pier Silvio, Barbara, Eleonora and Luigi.
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