Former Italian prime minister and Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi passes away

The controversial politician and sports club owner had been diagnosed with leukaemia.

Former prime minister of Italy, and AC Milan owner, Silvio Berlusconi has passed away at the age of 86. Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera broke the news, with the outlet reporting that the politician died on Monday (12 June), four days after being readmitted to the San Raffaele hospital in Milan. Earlier in the year, he spent 45 days in the hospital, suffering from a lung infection caused by leukaemia. A media tycoon as well as a politician, Berlusconi served as the prime minister of Italy in four governments from 1994 to 1995, 2001 to 2006 and 2008 to 2011. [caption id="attachment_288762" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Former AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has passed away. (Credit: Getty)[/caption]

Silvio Berlusconi saved Milan from bankruptcy

Known for his brash personality and populist political style, he was a controversial figure in Italy - with his career being racked by sex scandals, allegations of corruption and a tax fraud conviction. Despite all this, he managed to make a political comeback in 2017. Outside of politics, Berlusconi founded Italy's largest commercial broadcaster Mediaset and owned the football club AC Milan from 1986 to 2017. After saving the club from bankruptcy in February 1986, he told reporters:

"Milan? It's an affair of the heart. It's expensive, but the most beautiful women also cost a lot."

During his reign as Milan owner, the Rossineri won the Champions League (European Cup) on five occasions. At the time of his death, he also owned the football club AC Monza. WATCH HOUSE OF FOOTBALL: Related links.

• Champions League final: Man City vs Inter Milan teams and player ratings as treble secured
• House of Football: Ireland’s glimmer of hope, selfies with Roy and the art of free-kicks.
• Scott Carson delivers emphatic comeback to fan after second Champions League victory
• Man United line-up transfers for two strikers as alternatives to Harry Kane
• "Disgrace to the club" - Norman Whiteside story on nightclub "raid" sums up Alex Ferguson's early years at Man United

---