Silvio Berlusconi’s ex-partner marries her girlfriend… as he puts their mansion up for sale

Silvio Berlusconi’s ex-partner Francesca Pascale married her girlfriend of two years over the weekend as reports emerged that the former prime minister had put their luxury mansion on the market.

After their civil union on Saturday Pascale, 36, and wife, singer Paola Turci, 57, would not be returning to the 1,140 square metre home purchased in 2015 by 85-year-old Berlusconi.

Instead, the villa and its surrounding 40,000 square metres of lush parkland could be up for grabs, according to local newspaper Giornale di Merate.

“The villa is for sale,” said a real estate consultant with links to the Berlusconi family. “I have set up meetings. I don’t have an exclusive on it, but I don’t believe it’s been sold yet.”

The modern building, once the home of footballer and businessman Valentino Giambelli, was purchased by Berlusconi for 2.5 million euros as a gift for Pascale, who he met in 2006 and started dating a few years later after his split from his former wife

Following the purchase, the home underwent a 29 million euros renovation that included a wine cellar with an interface system, a double fireplace, luxury Brianza furniture and a personal room for the couple’s poodle.

Luxurious and private, Villa Maria was the perfect home for the celebrity couple. That was until their break-up at the height of the coronavirus lockdown in 2020. Since then, Pascale has reportedly spent time in the house with her now wife Turci.

Though Pascale and Berlusconi never tied the knot, they had a financial agreement that saw the Neapolitan walk away with 20 million euros – two million for every year they were together – and a 100,000-euro monthly stipend to uphold her lavish lifestyle.

Pascale and Turci married in Siena on Saturday as cities across Italy celebrate gay pride. Dressed in white and standing against the backdrop of the rolling hills of Tuscany, the image posted by Pascale on social media shows her smiling next to her new wife. Her blonde cropped haircut and plunging neckline in stark contrast with the more conservative image she cultivated when she was with Berlusconi.

Berlusconi, who has never shied away from pursuing younger women, recently made his relationship official with Forza Italia member 32-year-old Maria Fascia.