Berlusconi, a two-time prime minister of Italy, including a term from 2001 to 2005 that made him the longest-serving Italian leader since World War II. Berlusconi's tenure was marked by close relations with the United States, including support for Operation Enduring Freedom and the U.S.-led military action during the Iraq War.

Berlusconi was born in Milan and received a law degree from Statale University in Milan in 1961. He had a highly successful business career and earned a fortune through the media corporation Fininvest, which operated Italy's first private television station. Fininvest eventually controlled more than 150 media firms, including the country's largest publishing company and main daily newspaper. Berlusconi also became well known throughout Italy as the owner of the football team AC Milan. He was the wealthiest man in Italy with a worth of $12 billion by 2005.

In 1993, Berlusconi formed his own political party, Forza Italia ("Go Italy"). Forza Italia did very well in the 1994 elections and gained 113 seats in the 630-member Chamber of Deputies (the second most of any of the conservative parties). Berlusconi formed a coalition government with the National Alliance and the Northern League, but the government lasted only seven months before the coalition broke apart and new elections were called. Berlusconi became prime minister in 2001 as the leader of a coalition government. During his second term, Berlusconi was a staunch supporter of the U.S.-led war on terror. The prime minister dispatched Italian forces to participate in Operation Enduring Freedom and ordered enhanced intelligence and law enforcement cooperation with the United States. He also emerged as one of the foremost European backers of military action against the regime of Saddam Hussein. Following the 2003 Iraq War, Italy deployed troops as part of the multilateral coalition in Iraq even though there was widespread domestic opposition to the U.S.-led invasion.

Meanwhile, Berlusconi faced a range of charges on corruption and antitrust violations. He maintained that efforts to indict him were politically motivated, while prosecutors argued that the prime minister used his office to evade charges. Parliament enacted a controversial immunity law to protect Berlusconi, who was able to avoid indictment. He was defeated in elections in April 2006, but remained active in politics.

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