Marina Berluskoni Vice President of Fininvest and daughter of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Italy Country: Italy

1. Marina Berlusconi: The Heiress of a Media Empire
2. A Step Expected: Marina's Role in the Family Business
3. Rising to the Top: Marina's Leadership in Fininvest
4. Controversy Surrounding Fininvest
5. A Powerful Figure: Marina's Influence and Success

Marina Berlusconi: The Heiress of a Media Empire

Marina Berlusconi, the eldest daughter of Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the wealthiest man in Italy, has taken the helm of her father's media empire. Unanimously elected as the President of the holding company Fininvest, Marina now controls all the financial and media resources of her family.

A Step Expected: Marina's Role in the Family Business

Marina Berlusconi's appointment as the "number two" person in the extensive business of Italy's most famous family was a highly expected move. Before the 2006 elections, the eccentric head of the Italian government systematically strengthened the family's presence in the business world. Fininvest Group, the holding company that controls Berlusconi's major assets such as Mediolanum (a banking and insurance company), Medusa (Italy's largest film production company), Mondadori (the largest publishing house in Italy), AC Milan football club, and Mediaset (a television holding company that owns three TV channels: Canale 5, Italia 1, Rete 4, and a digital and cable TV network).

Rising to the Top: Marina's Leadership in Fininvest

At 39 years old, Marina Berlusconi had previously served as the Vice President of Fininvest. However, on August 31, the President of the company, lawyer Aldo Bonomo, passed away. Economists anticipated that Silvio would appoint Marina to this position. The board of directors, led by Marina, already includes her 36-year-old brother Pier Silvio and Barbara, her 20-year-old stepsister from Silvio's second marriage.

Controversy Surrounding Fininvest

Fininvest has been at the center of accusations made by Berlusconi's opponents who believe that the Prime Minister excessively mixes his political and business interests. Left-wing politicians have repeatedly claimed that Berlusconi's vast media resources, which he owns, ensured his victory in the 2001 election. However, in order to secure a victory for his party, Forza Italia ("Forward, Italy!") in the European regional elections that took place in April of this year, Berlusconi sold 17% of Mediaset, a pearl of Fininvest, without hesitation. Analysts now wonder how skillfully Marina will manage the 2 billion euros from this deal, which were not utilized during the pre-election campaign. Marina herself has stated in interviews that Fininvest does not have any urgent plans to invest these funds. Nevertheless, experts believe that Berlusconi's daughter will soon acquire shares in the telecommunications industry, further strengthening the family's influence in the mass media and the telephone market. The specific company mentioned is Hutchison Whampoa.

A Powerful Figure: Marina's Influence and Success

According to Forbes magazine, Marina is included in the list of the top 100 most influential managers in the world and ranked 74th among the most influential women in the world (data from 2005). Since 1996, Fininvest has quadrupled its operating profit, thanks in part to Marina's efforts. Furthermore, since 2001, the holding company's total income has increased fivefold. Additionally, it is expected that Marina will become the main heir to her father's fortune, which has reached 12 billion dollars.