The heirs of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi have decided to sell portions of the family fortune, including the estate where the politician once hosted a meeting with Russia’s leadership. A recent dispatch notes that the property will go on the market, signaling another chapter for the late billionaire’s legacy as it passes into new hands.
Specifically, Villa Gernetto, situated in Lezmo in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, is identified as the property slated for sale. Reports describe it as an 18th century mansion surrounded by a garden, a setting steeped in historical significance and architectural charm that has long attracted attention from collectors and investors alike.
During Berlusconi’s tenure, the villa served as a site for official engagements, including a 2010 visit with Vladimir Putin, who was Russia’s prime minister at the time. The venue has been remembered as a symbol of the cross-border discussions that characterized the era and the bilateral ties that emerged from those exchanges.
Meanwhile, sources close to the family indicate that Villa San Martino, the billionaire’s principal residence near Milan in Arcore, is not currently in the selling plan. The heirs have not signaled any move to part with the main home at this stage, despite broader expectations that some assets might be divested to simplify ownership and manage the estate more efficiently.
Attention is turning to Berlusconi’s extensive art collection, which reportedly includes around 25 thousand paintings. The heirs are evaluating the possibility of selling portions of this collection, citing maintenance and storage costs that have reached substantial levels. Estimates suggest annual expenses could be in the vicinity of several hundred thousand euros, prompting a reassessment of the holdings and their ongoing upkeep.
Forbes has previously placed Berlusconi among the wealthiest individuals in Italy, a ranking that reflected the sprawling influence of his business interests and political career. The latest estimations continue to frame his legacy in terms of both wealth and influence within the country and beyond its borders.
The decision to restructure the estate and its holdings is framed by a broader narrative about a family navigating the period after the political figure’s passing, balancing the desire to preserve historical assets with the practical realities of estate management. The discussions reportedly involve considerations of how to maintain the properties, address tax implications, and ensure the long-term stewardship of prized artifacts and architectural treasures. Though at times controversial, the past remains a backdrop to the ongoing management of the family’s assets and responsibilities, as the heirs chart a course through the next chapter of the Berlusconi legacy. The evolving plans illustrate how a political and business dynasty handles succession, heritage, and the stewardship of cultural assets in a modern context. (Agency report)