Rector paid €3 million

Lampedusa: Berlusconi’s “Due Palme” villa sold

The villa of the late Silvio Berlusconi on the island of Lampedusa was sold.(Bild: AFP)

On the Italian island of Lampedusa, also notorious as a hotspot for boat refugees from Africa, the "Due Palme" villa of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who died in June 2023, has been sold. The buyer, economist and rector of the International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Gianni Profita, paid three million euros for the property.

Berlusconi himself is said to have bought it for 1.5 million euros during his term of office as Prime Minister in 2011 after a visit to the island, which was known for its high number of refugee arrivals. The 250-square-metre villa and its extensive garden are part of the gigantic property estate left behind by the media tycoon.

Berlusconi heirs part with another luxury residence 
Berlusconi's heirs also want to part with the luxury residence "Villa Certosa" on the Costa Smeralda in Sardinia. The price is around 500 million euros and is twice as high as an estimate from 2021, Italian media reported. The property features a lake and an artificial volcano as well as seven swimming pools and a greenhouse with orchids and palm trees.

In 2009, a paparazzo caused a stir with 7,000 photos from inside the villa and of the then head of government Berlusconi's guests. The photos included Berlusconi with half-naked beauties, bare-breasted women sunbathing and a naked man - former Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek.

Family keeps main residence near Milan
According to media reports, Berlusconi's heirs have also ordered the sale of "Villa Gernetto", an 18th century building in Lesmo near Milan, where the ex-prime minister wanted to establish a private university. However, the family had no intention of selling the late billionaire's main residence, the "Villa San Martino" in Arcore near Milan. The villa became internationally known for the extravagant parties that Berlusconi organized there during his time as prime minister.

Berlusconi founded the right-wing conservative party Forza Italia 30 years ago, which currently supports the cabinet of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Berlusconi's assets are enormous and include companies, villas, houses, boats, works of art and private investments. In addition to the children, the heirs include Berlusconi's brother Paolo, his partner Marta Fascina and his confidant Marcello Dell'Utri.