Milan : Silvio Berlusconi, former Italian prime minister who transformed the nation’s politics with polarizing policies and often alarmed his allies with his brazen remarks, died on Monday aged 86.
Berlusconi, Italy’s longest-serving premier had suffered from leukemia and recently developed a lung infection. He died at Milan’s San Raffaele hospital, where he was admitted on Friday.
His five children, partner Marta Fascina and younger brother Paolo were with him, a hospital spokesperson said.
A state funeral will be held in Milan Cathedral on Wednesday, which the government declared a day of national mourning. Flags will fly at half-mast until Wednesday.
