Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian billionaire, senator and four-time prime minister, has died at the age of 86.

A seasoned politician and media tycoon, dominated Italian politics for more than 30 years before his death.

The 86-year-old senator and head of the Forza Italia party, who has become the subject of the biggest controversy in contemporary Italy due to a series of financial and sexual scandals, was admitted to the hospital on Friday.

He was treated for over six weeks for a lung infection linked to chronic leukaemia before he was taken to the hospital where he later died.

The billionaire media tycoon struggled with his health in recent years, including contracting COVID in 2020.

After being discharged from a 10-day hospital admission, late Silvio Berlusconi noted that the disease had been “insidious” and was the most critical challenge he had ever faced.

The former Italian Prime Minister underwent heart surgery to replace an aortic valve in 2016 and had overcome prostate cancer.

Tributes are already pouring in from the lovers, colleagues and allies of the late politician.

Reacting to the news of his death, the current Real Madrid coach whol led AC Milan under Berlusconi leadership, Carlo Ancelotti said in a tweet: “Today’s sadness doesn’t erase the happy moments spent together. There remains infinite gratitude to the president, but above all to an ironic, loyal, intelligent, sincere man, fundamental in my adventure as a football player first, and then as a coach. Thank you President.”

In his part Roberto Metsola, president of the European Parliament, described him as a “Father, entrepreneur, MEP, Prime Minister, senator. He has left his mark and will not be forgotten. Thank you Silvio.”