The boastful billionaire media tycoon, who overcame various scandals to hold the office of Italy’s prime minister four times, has died from leukemia.

Silvio Berlusconi was 86.

His career was tainted by sex scandals, allegations of corruption, and even of being involved in mafia bomb attacks in 1992 and ’93.

Another former Italian prime minister, Matteo Renzi, says Berlusconi was ”loved by many and hated by many.”

Vladimir Putin was among the first foreign leaders to pay his respects.

The Russian president called him ”a dear person, a true friend” adding his passing is ”an irreparable loss and great sorrow.”

Former U.S. President George W. Bush said Berlusconi was a ”vibrant leader with a personality to match.”