Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi Dies at 86: A Look at His Controversial Career.

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi died in Milan on June 12 at the age of 86.

Before joining politics, Berlusconi had made a fortune through business. His career spans real estate, banking and media industries, and he also owned the Italian football club AC Milan.

Berlusconi first served as Italy’s prime minister in 1994 and went on to lead four governments until stepping down in 2011. He is the founder of the center-right Forza Italia party, and many Italian media refer to him as bringing populism and right-wing ideas into politics.

Berlusconi is Italy’s longest-serving prime minister since World War II and a controversial figure in the country. He has repeatedly made sexist remarks and been involved in sex scandals; he has also been convicted of tax fraud and involved in many civil and criminal case investigations.