Italy's financial capital and Mr Berlusconi's birthplace, Milan is also where he nurtured his political project.

ECONOMIST: Silvio Berlusconi is cornered by his coalition allies

Various low-level commercial enterprises followed before the fledgling entrepreneur enjoyed his first real success in property development in the late 1960s when he was involved in a project to build Milano Two -- nearly 4, 000 flats -- outside Milan.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS