Il will di Silvio Berlusconi did not reserve big surprises: Pier Silvio and Marina Berlusconi go the majority of Fininvest. The document containing the last wishes of the former Prime Minister and founder of Forza Italia, who passed away on 12 June, was read on Wednesday 5 July by the notary Arrigo Roveda in front of two witnesses, the lawyers Luca Fossati of the Chiomenti studio, representing the children connected remotely. At stake is a total assets approaching 7 billion euros between companies, villas, real estate, liquidity and works of art and much more. The structure of Fininvest remains dominant, with its companies listed on the Stock Exchange – in its belly it has 47,91% of Mfe (Mediaset), 53,7% of Arnoldo Mondadori Publisher and 30,5% of Banca Mediolanum – is the junction through which pass the dividends for the family which in turn bears the costs for the management of the rich real estate assets or to support Forza Italy, the party he founded in 2013. The political succession game is in fact another fundamental chapter in the legacy of the former prime minister. In the will there is also a bequest in cash for the partner Martha Fascina, the brother Paul e Marcello Dell'Utri.
The Knight would have divided his assets in such a way as to consolidate the harmony between the children and the unity of the group. No upheavals. But what are the Berlusconi's last wishes? How was the gigantic patrimony of the former Knight divided? Here's what we know so far.
Berlusconi's testament: how are the shares in Fininvest divided? Marina and Pier Silvio control
At the center of the discussions, the division of the available share, equal to approximately 20% of the 61,21% of Fininvest to 5 children: Marina e Pier Silvio, born from his first marriage with Carla Elvira Dall'Oglio, and the three youngest, Luigi, Eleonora e Barbara, born from the second with Veronica Lario.
In the end, Marina and Pier Silvio Berlusconi, current guides of Mfe and Mondadori, control Fininvest with the 53%. “I leave it available in equal parts to my children Marina and Pier Silvio. I leave all the rest in equal parts to my 5 children Marina, Pier Silvio, Barbara, Eleonora and Luigi”. The two older brothers started from a share of 15,30% divided equally (7,65% each) into the two personal financial companies: the Holding Italiana Quarta (Marina) and la Quinta (Pier Silvio). With the legitimate quota (8,16%) they together reached 31,62% which becomes approximately 53% with the entire attribution of the quota available (about 20%).
While the children of the second marriage started from a 21,41% divided into three equal parts. They will only go there legitimate, or 24,48%, bringing the Italian Holding Quattordicesima to 45,89%.
So that was confirmed line of continuity towards the eldest children which has been discussed since the day of his death and which the former prime minister had already prepared in 2006. Even if an official note from Fininvest states "that no person will hold indirect solitary control over Fininvest, previously exercised by the father himself. The notary who has read the testamentary will will carry out the legal obligations in the next few hours".
Fininvest, in addition to the aforementioned Mfe, Mondadori and Mediolanum, also owns the Monza Football (team bought after the sale of Milan), and del Teatro Manzoni (100%).
Not just Fininvest, the rest of Berlusconi's legacy
To take into consideration there is not only the control of one of the most important entrepreneurial realities in the country, but also the real estate assets, private jets, helicopters, and so on. The holding company stands out above all Sweetdragon which owns many of the real estate properties of the former prime minister, including the Idra real estate company, which in turn owns some family homes such as Villa Certosa in Sardinia e Villa San Martino in Arcore.
Berlusconi has used the same formula for the rest of his estate (including properties and works of art) which means that his two eldest sons share about 60% of the estate, and the three youngest the remaining 40%.
Berlusconi, what did he leave to Marta Fascina?
The two, as is known, are not married, but despite this a Martha Fascina the former prime minister leaves 100 million euro. 100 million should go to his brother and 30 million to his lifelong friend. There are two documents filed by the notary Roveda, which refer to three handwritten notes by the leader of Forza Italia. At first, on 2 October 2006, the founder allocates the share of the inheritance available in equal parts to his children Marina and Pier Silvio, while the remaining part is divided among all five children, always in equal parts. A second file, dated 5 October 2020, which confirms the provisions of 2006 and adds a legacy of 100 million to his brother Paolo. The third note is in the form of a letter and dates back to 19 January 2022. Here it is stipulated that "Marina, Piersilvio, Barbara and Eleonora" (the youngest is not mentioned) reserve, from their inheritances, donations of 100 million to Paolo Berlusconi, from 100 million to the Italian deputy and finally from 30 million to Dell'Utri.
Updated at 18:55 on Thursday 6 July 2023
