Silvio Berlusconi, a former Italian prime minister, passed away on Monday at the San Rafaelle Hospital in Milan. He was 86 years old.

Due to a lung infection, the politician and businessman was moved to the intensive care unit last Friday. Since then, Berlusconi’s condition had gotten worse.

According to AdnKronos news agency, several members of his family had arrived at the center on Monday morning.

Also Read: From dating minors to tax frauds: 5 Silvio Berlusconi scandals

Concern grew as Berlusconi’s health deteriorated over the past few months, especially after learning that he had been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia.

His doctors reported he was receiving “specialized cytoreductive treatment” and chemotherapy at the time. This type of blood cancer is more common in those over 60.

Berlusconi has spent a number of nights in the hospital throughout the years. He underwent pacemaker surgery on one occasion, COVID-19 treatment on another, and a urinary tract infection on one of the most recent instances, which occurred in January 2022.

This weekend the media tycoon was scheduled to meet at his mansion in Arcore with the senior members of his party, the conservative Forza Italia, part of the current coalition government led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The founder of the right-wing political party Forza Italia, Berlusconi, held the position of prime minister on many occasions and was re-elected as a senator in the most recent elections.

Sex scandals, claims of corruption, and a tax fraud conviction have tainted Berlusconi’s life and career. He served as prime minister of Italy for the longest period of time following World War II.

He was also the club’s president and owner, buying the team in 1986 and turning it around from being on the verge of bankruptcy to becoming a superpower in Europe. He has most recently owned the Serie A team Monza.