Maria Elvira “Marina” Berlusconi: Businesswoman and Chairwoman

Biography:

Birth:

Marina Berlusconi was born on August 10, 1966, in Milan, Italy.

Family:

She is the daughter of Silvio Berlusconi, a prominent businessman and former Italian prime minister, and Carla Elvira Lucia Dall’Oglio. She has a brother, Pier Silvio Berlusconi, and a paternal half-sister, Barbara Berlusconi.

Education:

After completing high school in classical studies, Berlusconi started her studies at the Faculty of Law and then Political Science but left in her first year.

Career Beginnings:

After an apprenticeship, she worked in various positions in the media business in Italy.

Board Roles:

Joined the board of Fininvest, her father’s holding company, in 1994. In 1996, she became Deputy Chairman of Fininvest. Since 2003, she has been the chairperson of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, Italy’s largest publishing company.

Recognition:

Ranked 48th in Forbes’ list of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women in 2010. Included in Fortune magazine’s list of the 50 most influential women in the international business community since 2001. The Hollywood Reporter listed her among the 20 most influential women in the media TV industry in 2013, 2016, and 2018.

Political Consideration:

Initially claimed not to have thought of entering politics like her father in 2011 but admitted the possibility in 2014.

Personal Life:

Marriage:

Married Maurizio Vanadia, a former lead dancer at La Scala, in December 2008.

Children:

They have two sons, Gabriele (born 2002) and Silvio.

Awards:

Named in The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women by Forbes magazine from 2004 to 2010.

Received the Gold Medal of the City of Milan (Ambrogino d’oro) in 2009, awarded by the mayor of Milan, Letizia Moratti, for being “an example of Milanese excellence in the world and the ability to reconcile professional and family life.”