Former Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi, a billionaire businessman who created Italy's largest media company before transforming the political landscape, has died on Monday, according to sources, Reuters reports.
Berlusconi, who was 86, had been suffering from leukaemia "for some time" and had recently developed a lung infection.
Berlusconi's Forza Italia party is part of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition, and although he himself did not have a role in government, his death is likely to destabilise Italian politics in the coming months.
He served as prime minister in 1994-1995, 2001-2006 and 2008-2011 and although he doesn't have a direct role in government, his Forza Italia party is a member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition.
