The Villas and Palaces of Silvio Berlusconi: What kind of real estate did the Italian politician own?

On June 12, Silvio Berlusconi, a charismatic media mogul who served three times as prime minister of Italy, died at age 86. He became famous not only for his political efforts and numerous scandals but also for his brilliant business career: his name was constantly appearing in Forbes lists, and as of April 2023, his fortune was estimated at 7.4 billion dollars.  

Berlusconi's empire included construction and insurance companies, pension funds, three TV channels, and Milan Football Club (sold in 2016). But the shrewd investor started with real estate, which we will talk about today. 

How Berlusconi became Italy's largest real estate developer 

After graduating from university, Silvio Berlusconi decided to found the company Cantieri Riuniti Milanesi (Union of Builders of Milan). In his own words, at the beginning he received financial support from his father, who cashed in his retirement savings, as well as from the Rasini Bank, owned by a family friend, and a Swiss trust from Lugano.

At the time, Italy was experiencing a construction boom, and the project to build apartment buildings on Milan's Alciati street proved extremely profitable. In 1963, Berlusconi founded the Edilnord construction company, which within a few years successfully implemented several residential neighborhoods in different areas of Milan, including the Milan-2 residential complex with four thousand apartments. By 1973, Berlusconi had become one of the biggest developers in Italy and one of the biggest businessmen in the country.

He later began investing in television and advertising, but Berlusconi continued to actively acquire properties, both in Italy and abroad, until his death.

Journalist Indro Montanelli and Silvio Berlusconi. 1977 (Photo Archivio Cicconi / Getty Images)

Berlusconi's real estate in Italy

Villa San Martino in Arcore

The villa in Arcore, a town near Milan, has been Berlusconi's residence for nearly 50 years and has become the most famous property in his portfolio. The 3,500-square-meter villa often hosted lavish parties and events.

Villa San Martino in Arcore

Villas in Sardinia

Berlusconi owned several villas in Sardinia, namely Stefania, Barbagli, Miramare, and Ginepri.

However, the most famous and luxurious estate is considered to be Villa Certosa in the heart of Costa Smeralda, which was bought in the 1970s. It was here that Berlusconi hosted important guests, including the presidents of various countries. Villa Certosa is 2,400 m² in size and includes 68 rooms, a huge garage, and a further 174 parking spaces. The grounds include man-made hills with olive trees, golf courses, tennis courts, and a helipad. In January 2021, a technical appraisal estimated the villa at 259 million euros.

Villa Certosa

Villa Campari on Lake Maggiore

Silvio added this property to his collection in 2008. For a long time, it was owned by the Campari-Garavoglia family (they own the Campari company). Villa Campari, with its 30 rooms, its splendid park, and its private marina, was one of the politician's favorite holiday destinations.

Villa Campari

Villa on the island of Lampedusa

In March 2011, the then Prime Minister bought a property also on the island of Lampedusa, namely a house in Cala Francesa called “The Two Palms”.

Villa in Lampedusa

Villa on Lake Como

Berlusconi bought the Villa Belinzaghi, overlooking Lake Como, for 12 million euros. Inside, there are several bedrooms and a marble banqueting room, surrounded by a 7,000 m² garden.

Villa Belinzaghi

Villa in Milan

Villa Borletti, where Fininvest's headquarters were located in the 1980s, was the meeting place between Silvio Berlusconi and the actress Veronica Lario, who later became his second wife.

Villa Borletti

Villas in Lombardy

Berlusconi bought the “Belvedere” villa of 400 thousand m² in 1989. It is not far from Milan.

“Belvedere” villa

Berlusconi bought the 18th-century Villa Gernetto in 2007 through Fininvest Sviluppi Immobiliari SpA. It is located in the village of Lesmo, in the province of  Monza and Brianza. The house, with a surface area of 350 square meters, contains four large living rooms, a dining room, a bathroom, a walk-in closet, and several bedrooms.

Villa Gernetto

The Villa San Marino was purchased by the Italian prime minister in the 1970s. This 3,500-square-meter house is located on 60 hectares of land and has 147 rooms.

The Villa San Marino

Villa Sottocasa in Vimercate was built in the late 18th century and bought in 2018 for 2.5 million, it is owned by Berlusconi through Brianzadue.

Villa Sottocasa

Villa and apartments in Rome

Berlusconi owned at least seven apartments in Rome. Also in the 1980s, he purchased and turned Palazzo Grazioli, located in the heart of Rome, into his private residence. The palace boasts an impressive collection of art, including magnificent frescoes and exquisite antiques.

Palazzo Grazioli

Berlusconi's real estate outside Italy

Villa in Bermuda

Berlusconi purchased the Villa Blue Horizon in 1995 through the offshore company Bridgeston. The mansion includes five or six bedrooms, and there is a private marina and gym nearby. Incidentally, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's villa is next door to this place. 

Villa Blue Horizon

Villas at Emerald Cove, Antigua and Barbuda

In Antigua, in the Caribbean, there is the Emerald Cove apartment complex, which Berlusconi also invested in. There are 60 luxury mansions on the property. Supposedly, the Italian prime minister owned two villas.

Villa La Lampara in Cannes, France

The villa in Cannes, built by the Marquis George de Cuevas, was purchased by one of Berlusconi's companies—for 3.55 million dollars.

Villa La Lampara in Cannes

Who will inherit Berlusconi's real estate?

The estimated value of Berlusconi's real estate is $5 billion. At this point, it is known that the politician's children and relatives have the right to sell all the property after his death. Berlusconi asked not to sell only his beloved villa “San Martino” in Arcore.

Berlusconi with his family