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Silvio Berlusconi: Former Italian PM’s eldest children get majority stake

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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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Daniel Ellsberg: Pentagon Papers whistleblower dies aged 92

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Daniel Ellsberg, the renowned whistleblower who exposed the truth about US involvement in the Vietnam War through the release of the Pentagon Papers, has passed away at the age of 92. He died at his home in Kensington, California, after battling pancreatic cancer. Ellsberg’s actions in leaking the classified documents in 1971 earned him the nickname “the most dangerous man in America” and led to a significant legal battle with the Nixon administration, as they attempted to prevent the publication of the papers in the New York Times.

Despite facing espionage charges, Ellsberg was eventually cleared, and his actions had a profound impact on public opinion regarding the Vietnam War. The Pentagon Papers revealed government deceptions and contributed to the eventual end of the war, as well as playing a role in President Nixon’s downfall. Ellsberg’s courageous act set a precedent for future whistleblowers and established a protection for freedom of the press under the First Amendment.

Throughout his life, Ellsberg remained a vocal critic of government overreach and military interventions. His decision to leak the Pentagon Papers was motivated by his belief that the public’s awareness of the truth could help bring an end to the war. He continued his advocacy for government accountability and transparency in subsequent years, inspiring subsequent whistleblowers like Julian Assange and Edward Snowden.

In recent interviews, even while battling pancreatic cancer, Ellsberg emphasized the importance of whistleblowing and the potential impact it can have in situations where the stakes are high. He believed that even in the face of significant risks, exposing the truth was an obligation when the survival of civilization and the well-being of billions of people were at stake.

Daniel Ellsberg’s legacy as a truth-teller, anti-war activist, and champion of whistleblowers will be remembered by many. His courageous actions and unwavering commitment to revealing the truth have had a lasting impact on government transparency and the public’s right to know.

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