MILAN -- Media mogul and former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi died at Milan's San Raffaele hospital Monday, hospital officials said. He was 86.

  Berlusconi was hospitalised Friday for what was described 'not critical' tests but underwent an unexpected deterioration in his condition Monday morning, hospital sources said. His last companion, Marta Fascina, was at his bedside as he expired and she was joined by the magnate's brother Paolo and his children Marina, Eleonora, Barbara and Pier Silvio.

 Berlusconi spent 45 days at the San Raffaelo hospital earlier this year, leaving just over three weeks ago on May 15 and claiming he was ready to take the reins back of his Forza Italia party, a member of Prime Minister GIorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition.

 Last time he was hospitalised the former night club singer was treated first in intensive care for leucemia and a lung infection he developed while in hospital.

 Berlusconi's entry into politics in 1993 by founding his Forza Italia party changed Italy's political landscape. His meteoric political career was controversial as he and his close aides fielded multiple investigations for corruption, alleged links to the Sicilian Mafia and conflict of interest over his monopoly of commercial television through his Fininvest company, subsequently renamed Mediaset.

 His death raises questions whether the party, a key coalition partner in Meloni's government, will be able to survive in the medium to long term without its charismatic founder, Italy watchers said.

 jp