Silvio Berlusconi naked photographs published despite court order

Silvio Berlusconi naked photographs published despite court order

Fine wine, amazing cuisine, beautiful landscapes and world-renowned fashion – just a few of the things that define Italy’s place in the cultural fabric. But these industries have also transformed Italy not only into one of the powerhouses of Europe, but indeed, of the entire world. Italy is the world’s single-largest producer of wine on the planet. And Milan remains one of the fashion juggernauts of the industry.

With that in mind, it only stands to follow that Italians have managed to turn these claims into massive wealth. Several Italians on our list actually rank among the richest individuals in the world. And nearly all of them created brands that are known to nearly everyone. Read on to explore the lives and stories of Italy’s richest (and most intriguing) people.

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But you may be surprised to learn that for some of Hollywood’s biggest names, this wasn’t always the case. Actually, we can promise you’ll be downright shocked to learn just how little some of these celebs were paid – often for some of their most iconic roles, too! Read on to see the absolute lowest paydays for the biggest names in the biz.

The five photos show two scantily-clad young women relaxing in the villa's landscaped garden, as well as Mr Berlusconi walking in the garden beside another young woman, who is clothed.

Aside from the Italian prime minister, all have their faces obscured by pixels and none is identified.

The photographs will intensify a frenzied debate in Italy on the nature of Mr Berlusconi's relationship with a string of attractive young women, some of whom he has propelled into politics.

Mr Berlusconi had successfully suppressed the images in his own country, with his lawyers persuading prosecutors to seize the photos and place the photographer who took them under investigation for alleged violation of privacy.

But Antonello Zappadu, the photographer, had already sold the rights to the photos outside Italy, possibly explaining their publication by El Pais under the headline "The photos vetoed by Berlusconi."

An angry Mr Berlusconi condemned publication of the pictures, taken with a long lens near his Sardinian retreat as a gross intrusion into his privacy.

"We're talking about innocent photos, but there was a violation of privacy," he told RAI state radio.

Asked about why there were naked women at his home, Berlusconi continued: "Do you take a shower dressed? These girls were bathing in a whirlpool bath inside a private home, and they were assaulted in a scandalous way."

He added: "Do you take a shower in a jacket and tie? These are people bathing in a jacuzzi inside a private house meant for guests."

He called the accusations "petty" and suggested they were engineered by the centre-left opposition to damage him ahead of this weekend's European Parliament elections.

In an editorial titled "Berlusconi Naked," El Pais accused the billionaire of "trying to convert the democratic political space into a simple extension of his friendship ties and his entertainment." The pictures will provide the prime minister's critics with more ammunition at a time when he is under investigation for alleged improper use of government planes to fly guests, including a flamenco dancer and a Neapolitan crooner, to his Sardinian retreat.

In a complaint brought by a consumer group, the media mogul was accused of abuse of power and prosecutors in Rome are expected to forward the case to a special court that deals with alleged crimes committed by government officials.

Mr Berlusconi said the guests had been flown in to provide entertainment during a state visit by Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek.

Mr Berlusconi insisted earlier this week that he had broken no laws and there had been no cost to taxpayers.

"If sometimes there are a few extra people on these planes, it doesn't cost an extra dime because the plane was going to make the journey anyway: it's a question of pragmatism," he added.

He already faces uncomfortable questions over his relationship with an aspiring underwear model, Noemi Letizia, who calls him 'Papi' and whose 18th birthday he attended near Naples a few weeks ago.

Mr Berlusconi has denied having a "spicy" relationship with the teenager, insisting that she is the daughter of an old friend from political circles and that he attended her birthday party because he happened to be in Naples that day.

His lawyer, meanwhile, said he would sue El Pais for having published the photographs.

"They are photographs that originated in a crime,” Niccolo Ghedini told an Italian web site.

“Who buys them anywhere in the world is committing a crime, something which should have been clear to El Pais’ journalists.”

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