Born on September 29, 1936, in Milan, Italy, Berlusconi entered the business world in the 1960s and quickly built an empire in the media industry. He founded Mediaset in the 1970s, which became one of the largest broadcasting companies in Italy. Berlusconi also ventured into politics, founding his own political party, Forza Italia, in 1994. Berlusconi's political career was marked by numerous triumphs and controversies. He was elected Prime Minister for the first time in 1994 but lasted only seven months before his government collapsed. He returned to power in 2001, serving as Prime Minister until 2006. During this time, he implemented various economic reforms, but his administration was marred by accusations of corruption and conflicts of interest due to his extensive media holdings. Despite facing several legal challenges and allegations of impropriety, Berlusconi's charisma and media influence allowed him to remain a dominant force in Italian politics. He won the 2008 general election and served as Prime Minister once again until 2011. He faced criticism for his handling of the economic crisis and was eventually forced to resign amid mounting pressure. Berlusconi's political career continued afterwards, but his influence began to wane. He faced legal troubles, including a conviction for tax fraud in 2013, which barred him from holding public office. However, he remained active in Italian politics, with his party Forza Italia participating in various elections. The Wikipedia page on Silvio Berlusconi provides a comprehensive overview of his life, including his early years, business ventures, political career, controversies, and legal troubles. It also details his policies and the impact he had on Italian politics. Overall, the page offers a thorough understanding of Berlusconi's life and his complex role in Italian society.