Silvio Berlusconi, the three-time Prime Minister of Italy and the long-time head of Forza Italia, aged 86, left the intensive care unit on Sunday after spending twelve days at the San Raffaele hospital in Milan. The former leader has been under careful observation as doctors monitored his recovery from a series of health challenges that have marked his public life in recent years.
According to medical staff, Berlusconi has continued to show steady improvement. The physicians, led by head physician Alberto Zangrillo, described a trajectory of ongoing recovery in their latest hospital updates, noting improvements in respiratory and kidney function alongside careful management of his blood cell counts and inflammatory indicators. The medical team emphasized that the patient’s condition had moved from critical to stable, with daily assessments confirming positive progress.
The hospital originally admitted the businessman on April 5 for treatment of a lung infection that developed in the context of a known diagnosis of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. The infection necessitated treatment, and doctors opted for a mild chemotherapy approach given the leukemia’s status and the patient’s recent health trajectory. Medical professionals have continued to tailor the care plan to Berlusconi’s evolving needs while aiming to minimize risks and support his overall strength during the healing process.
Expressions of support and well-wishes came from across the political spectrum and beyond. Matteo Salvini, his cooperative partner in government and the executive vice-president who leads the League, publicly offered encouragement on social media, sharing a message of solidarity and including a hopeful note about Berlusconi’s progress as he transitions from intensive care to a standard hospital ward. Salvini accompanied the message with a photo captioned to reflect the now-stable phase of the treatment and the anticipated return to normal activities.
The most recent medical briefing from the San Raffaele team reported a “new and steady improvement” in the patient’s respiratory and renal function, along with stable control of leukocytosis and the inflammatory syndrome. These signals were presented as part of a broader narrative of gradual but consistent recovery, underscoring the doctors’ confidence in Berlusconi’s ability to endure the next steps of his treatment plan.
In Milan, close family members and trusted associates continue to visit and support the former leader. His brother Paolo Berlusconi, along with one of Berlusconi’s five children, has spent time by his bedside, maintaining a tone of cautious optimism about the outcome of this medical episode. The family’s presence underscores the personal dimension of coverage surrounding a figure who has long balanced intense public life with private, health-related concerns.
Reports from local media indicate that Marina Berlusconi, the businessman’s daughter, as well as Fedele Confalonieri, president of Mediaset and a longtime confidant, were among those visiting the hospital during this period. The private life of Berlusconi has often attracted public interest, but in the hospital setting the focus remains squarely on the steps being taken to restore health and safety after a challenging months-long health saga.
Meanwhile, Marta Fascina, Berlusconi’s partner, has continued to accompany him during this period, providing personal support amid an ongoing transition. The couple has been noted for sharing a close partnership, with Fascina staying near to the family home in Arcore, on the outskirts of Milan, as the former leader navigates a complex medical journey that has spanned multiple years and multiple hospitalizations.
During the early days of the hospitalization, Berlusconi received calls from the major political figures who form his coalition and his alliances in government, including Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister, and Salvini. The dialogue with party leadership and government partners is part of the broader context of how Berlusconi’s health has intersected with Italian politics, particularly as his role and influence within Forza Italia and the right-wing coalition have persisted over time.
Historically, Berlusconi has faced numerous hospitalizations and surgical procedures throughout his public life, with the San Raffaele hospital serving as a recurring site for medical evaluations and care. He was admitted at the end of March for what doctors described as medical checkups, though the situation quickly evolved into a more involved treatment plan addressing both infection and the complex hematologic condition accompanying his leukemia. As he progresses, medical teams continue to balance aggressive treatment with careful monitoring to protect his vitality and long-term health prospects.