Former Italian PM and media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi dies at 86 

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has died at the age of 86 according to local Italian media. 

The former PM died at the San Raffaele hospital in Milan. It is understood that in April he had received treatment for a lung infection associated with a previously undisclosed case of chronic leukemia.

Berlusconi, a billionaire and former owner of football club AC Milan had managed to bounce back from numerous sex scandals and corruption allegations. 

He first assumed office in 1994 and went on to lead four governments until 20211. He was the leader of the centre-right Forza Italia party, which formed a coalition government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the September elections. During this time, Berlusconi was elected to Italy’s upper house, the Senate.