S18E24: It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World | Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi

When news broke that former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had died earlier this month, he went from a name on our list of potential subjects to a subject ripe for exploration. And what a ride it is – from his numerous affairs, to his scandalous (and criminal) “bunga bunga” parties, to his nearly flawless success in avoiding consequences for all manner of criminal conduct – his story is yet more proof that, like James Brown said, “It’s a man’s man’s man’s world.”

Programming note: We’re off next week to work on getting Season 19 ready for you! See you back on July 5, Trash Pandas!

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Stacie’s Receipts

Silvio Berlusconi, Italy’s former showman leader, battled a string of scandals to dominate politics for decades (cnn.com)

Scusi is the hardest word: Berlusconi’s wife forces him into a public apology | Media | The Guardian (theguardian.com)

Silvio Berlusconi: former Italian prime minister has died at 86 | Reuters (reuters.com)

Silvio Berlusconi, 85, holds ‘symbolic’ marriage with 32-year-old bride | The Independent (independent.co.uk)

Who is Silvio Berlusconi’s ex-wife Veronica Lario and how many children did he have? | Daily Mail Online (dailymail.co.uk)

Italy Berlusconi: Ex-wife to pay back €60m in alimony – BBC News (bbc.com)

Silvio Berlusconi, 85, ‘used women as sex slaves’ at his infamous ‘bunga bunga’ parties, court hears | Daily Mail Online (dailymail.co.uk)

THE GIRLS OF BERLUSCONI: Who They Are and Why It Matters (businessinsider.com)

Silvio Berlusconi, ex-leader of Italy, acquitted of bribery during trial over “bunga bunga” sex parties – CBS News (cbsnews.com)

Italian ex-PM Berlusconi sentenced in Ruby sex case – BBC News (bbcnews.com)

Silvio Berlusconi, a Showman Who Upended Italian Politics and Culture, Dies at 86 (nytimes.com)

Basta! Berlusconi’s Wife Bails (thedailybeast.com)

Italy Premier’s Drama Unfolds in Press – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Italy’s Silvio Berlusconi Is Back in the Spotlight and So Are His Sexist Comments. Here Are Some of His Worst. (time.com)

Silvio Berlusconi, tarnished leader who transformed Italian politics, dies at 86 | PBS NewsHour (pbs.org)

Italy’s Berlusconi Retains Honorific ‘Cavaliere’ Title Despite Problems – The Hollywood Reporter (hollywoodreporter.com)

Silvio Berlusconi’s memorable quotes and quips | Reuters (reuters.com)

Imane Fadil death: No radioactivity in ‘bunga bunga’ model – BBC News (bbc.com)

Former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi was also successful in soccer at AC Milan and Monza (washingtonpost.com)

Silvio Berlusconi undergoes heart surgery (theguardian.com)

Silvio Berlusconi splits from long-term girlfriend ‘for woman 53 years his junior’ (news.sky.com)

Berlusconi’s fiancée tells Vanity Fair Italia: “Silvio, just say yes” (vanityfair.it)