ROME -- The four-times prime minister and billionaire businessman, Silvio Berlusconi, recently celebrated his 80th birthday, yet his ex-friends -- turned enemies -- paint an ugly portrait of the man we love to hate.

 There was once a time in Italy when one had to choose ‘for or against’ the notorious Berlusconi.

 In recent years, the scales have definitely tipped. Not only does the media have a field day when poking fun at the plastic surgery and hair transplants, not to mention the endless allegations of corruption, embezzlement and sex scandals, but now even his friends have turned on their provocative ex-associate, Il Fatto Quotidiano reports.

 Over the years, there has been a mass of trials, convictions and acquittals regarding tax evasion, fraud and even underage prostitutes which have shaped the politician’s infamous reputation. Alleged friendships with dangerous members of ‘Cosa Nostra’ (the Italian mafia), public blunders, inappropriate jokes on national television and reported ‘bunga bunga’ sex parties -- possibly responsible in part for his numerable divorces -- the tycoon is certainly a controversial character, to say the least.

 Hence, at 80 years of age, it seems no amount of attention shall be drawn away from Silvio Berlusconi. He may be branded a “corrupt, sadistic liar” by those he once called friends, mocked by the media and villainised by his enemies, but no one can deny how fascinated we are by the man. Oscar-winning director Paolo Sorrentino is set to shoot a film dedicated to the turbulent career and personal life of Berlusconi in 2017.

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