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Both adversaries and allies are united in their commemoration of the death of Silvio Berlusconi, the longest-serving postwar prime minister of Italy, a figure as controversial as he was influential.

Berlusconi, a billionaire media mogul and former AC Milan owner, led Italy at the helm of his own political party, Forza Italia, and his legacy is marked by perseverance in the face of scandal and adversity.

Berlusconi's death came at the age of 86, following treatment for a lung infection linked to chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia.

His death occurred at the San Raffaele hospital in Milan, a city deeply intertwined with his own legacy.

Silvio Berlusconi :  A Life Lived in the Spotlight

Born into a middle-class family in 1936, Silvio Berlusconi commenced his career in property development before founding Mediaset, Italy's largest commercial broadcaster.

As the knight on his own chessboard, he formed Forza Italia in 1993, stepping into the political arena as traditional right-wing parties crumbled.

He was elected prime minister the following year, marking the start of his illustrious and controversial political career.

Berlusconi's term in office from 2001 to 2006 remains the longest served by any Italian leader since the Second World War.

He was a dynamic force in the world of Italian politics, earning the affectionate nickname "Il Cavaliere" (The Knight) for his indefatigable spirit.

His political life was not without scandal. He was embroiled in allegations ranging from tax fraud to hosting notorious "bunga bunga" sex parties, the latter of which he vehemently denied.

Despite these setbacks, Berlusconi's political tenacity saw him make a comeback in 2017, leading Forza Italia to return to power in a coalition five years later.

Tributes and Eulogies: A Nation and the World Remembers

Both adversaries and allies are united in their commemoration of Berlusconi's death. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who leads the governing coalition that includes Berlusconi's Forza Italia, praised Berlusconi as "a fighter" and "one of the most influential men in the history of Italy."

Despite their differences over Ukraine's war and Berlusconi's close friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, there was a sense of loss among Italy's political leaders.

As Italy mourns the loss of one of its most prominent figures, preparations are underway for a national day of mourning and a funeral to be held in Milan.

It's expected that supporters and mourners draped in the flags of Forza Italia and AC Milan will gather outside the hospital where the former prime minister passed away, a poignant tribute to the city that Berlusconi loved and served.