Silvio Berlusconi

Born in Milan on 29 September 1936; degree in Law.
He began working in the construction industry in 1962, and soon became the top Italian entrepreneur in the construction of housing and shopping centres (Milan 2, Milan 3, il Girasole).
In 1980 founded "Canale 5" the top-rated Italian national television network, which grew to include "Italia 1" (1982) and "Rete 4" (1984). His success in commercial television made it possible for him to develop a variety of other activities that all came to be grouped under the umbrella of the holding company Fininvest, founded in 1978.
He went on to bring commercial television to Europe, with France's "La Cinq" (1986), Germany's "Telefünf" (1987) and Spain's "Telecinco" (1989). With the Mondadori publishing house (1989) he became the main Italian publisher in the sector of books and periodicals.
The Fininvest Group, along with Mediolanum and Programma Italia, went on to develop a strong presence in the insurance sector and in the sale of financial products.
He became President of the Milan A.C. soccer team in 1986, which, under his management, won seven national championships, four Champions Cups, two World Cups and many other international trophies.
In January of 1994 he resigned all positions held in the Fininvest Group to found the Forza Italia movement and form the Freedom and Good Governance Coalition. He won the majority in the elections of March 1994 and became Prime Minister. In June 1999 he was re-elected to the European Parliament with three million votes. From 1996 to 2001 he was the leader of the opposition.
Winning the national political elections of 13 May 2001, he became the leader of the House of Freedoms Coalition with 18.5 million votes.