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The heirs of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi have agreed to sell Villa Certosa, his famous luxury estate in Sardinia, to a company linked to Qatar’s ruling family. According to local media reports, the property was sold for around €350 million, with the buyer identified as Constellation Hotels Holding Ltd, associated with Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Villa Certosa was one of Berlusconi’s most recognizable residences and became a symbol of his lavish lifestyle. Located on Sardinia’s exclusive Costa Smeralda coastline, the sprawling estate spans roughly 120 hectares and features numerous villas, swimming pools, an amphitheatre, extensive gardens, a mock volcano and a private underground grotto designed for discreet boat access.

The property frequently hosted world leaders, celebrities and business figures during Berlusconi’s time in office and beyond. The sale is part of a broader effort by Berlusconi’s five children to streamline and manage the vast assets inherited following his death in 2023, ending an era for one of Italy’s most famous private estates.

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After much speculation, Silvio Berlusconi’s will has been revealed, showing that he has bequeathed a majority stake in the family’s holding company Fininvest to his two eldest children, Marina and Pier Silvio. They will jointly own 53% of the family firm. Berlusconi, who passed away on June 12, was one of Italy’s wealthiest individuals, with a vast empire spanning real estate, television, cinema, and sports. His will also revealed that Marina and Pier Silvio, his children from his first marriage, will receive larger shares compared to his three other children from his second wife. The two eldest children have been involved in managing the family business since the early 1990s and have stated that no single shareholder will have overall individual indirect control of Fininvest.

In addition to his children, Berlusconi allocated €100 million to Marta Fascina, his partner at the time of his death. Although they were not married, Berlusconi referred to her as his wife on his deathbed. He left €100 million to his brother Paolo and €30 million to his close aide Marcello Dell’Utri. The distribution of Berlusconi’s other valuable assets, such as luxurious villas, has not been clarified yet and may present challenges in dividing them equally among his offspring. These properties include Villa San Martino in Arcore, a historic mansion covering 3,500 square meters, as well as homes in various locations such as Lake Maggiore, Rome, Cannes, and the Caribbean.

Among his properties, Villa Certosa in Sardinia stands out as a prestigious asset. Berlusconi purchased the mansion in the 1970s and hosted world leaders there, including Vladimir Putin and George W. Bush. The mansion, with 126 rooms and elaborate features like a fake erupting volcano, is estimated to be worth €259 million.

Silvio Berlusconi was a highly influential figure in Italy’s history, leaving a lasting impact on politics, media, football, and society. His will included a handwritten letter expressing his gratitude and love for his children. However, the question remains whether the family unity he maintained during his lifetime will persist after his passing and how that might affect the future of his business empire.

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