Silvio Berlusconi: Power and Pizazz

Forbes ranks Silvio Berlusconi as #21 on the list of world's most powerful people, and #118 on the list of world's richest people, with an estimated net worth of $6.2 billion as of November, 2011. (AP Photo)

He owns Fininvest, which controls Mediaset (a leader in commercial television), Medusa (a leading company in the cinema sector), the publishing company Mondadori, and Milan A.C. in sport.

Founded Telemilano in 1971, which later became Mediaset. (REUTERS)

Founded Forza Italia political party in 1994 and was elected prime minister - resigning seven months later following charges of conflict of interest and tax fraud. A conviction on those charges was later overturned. (AP Photo)

Lost the 1996 election to Romani Prodi. (AP Photo/Massimo Sambucetti)

He is re-elected prime minister in 2001 and served until 2006, when he lost again to Prodi. But the five-year term made him the longest serving prime minister in post-WWII Italy. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Berlusconi collapses during a speech at a political rally in Montecatini Terme in 2006. (REUTERS/Agenzia TDN)

He is re-elected again in 2008. (AP Photo)

He was taken to a Milan hospital with blood smeared over his face after a small model of Milan cathedral was hurled at him at a political rally. (REUTERS/Livio Anticoli)

October 2010: Allegations rise that he paid for sex with then 17-year-old Karima "Ruby" El Mahroug. He is now facing trial on charges for sex with a minor. Prositution is legal in Italy. (AP Photo)

Berlusconi during a finances vote at the parliament in Rome November 8, 2011. (REUTERS/Tony Gentile)