Silvio Berlusconi

What happens when the boss of TV becomes the boss of a country? That's the surprising true story of Silvio Berlusconi.

Silvio Berlusconi (1936–2023) was an Italian businessman who rose to fame in the late 1900s and early 2000s. He built a big media company called Mediaset, started the political party Forza Italia, and was elected Prime Minister of Italy three times.

He changed how Italians watched TV by creating popular private channels and used television and advertising to speak directly to voters. He also owned the famous soccer club AC Milan for many years while the team won important trophies. Mixing media, sports, and politics made him famous and often talked about.

Even when people disagreed with him, his story shows how powerful TV and media can be in shaping opinions. For kids: remember to ask who is talking on TV and why, and think for yourself about news and leaders.