Berlusconi's wife wants €47m divorce
The estranged wife of Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi wants €47m a year as a divorce settlement.
Veronica Lario left her husband after he became embroiled in a sex scandal involving at least one prostitute.
Couples in Italy must be legally separated before divorce can be granted.
The Corriere della Sera newspaper, citing what it said were “informed sources,” said Mr Berlusconi, Italy’s second-richest man, made a counter-offer of €219,000 monthly, and indicated willingness to go up to €329,000 monthly.
Mr Berlusconi, 73, is listed by Forbes magazine as the 70th richest person in the world, worth around €4.3bn.
Ms Lario, a 52-year-old former actress, said earlier this year she was fed up with his infatuation with young women and was seeking divorce.
The scandal swirls around several parties and dinners at Mr Berlusconi’s Sardinia estate and Rome residence.
A southern Italian businessman, who has been arrested in a cocaine probe, has told investigators he procured 30 young women to attend the parties in hope of currying favour with the premier. Among the guests was a prostitute who has said she spent the night with Mr Berlusconi in the bedroom of the Rome residence.
Mr Berlusconi, who says he is “no saint,” has denied ever paying for sex.
Ms Lario, Berlusconi’s second wife, married him in 1990 after several years together. She bore him three children, now in their 20s.
Corriere della Sera said she was seeking a deal that would allow her to maintain the lifestyle she now enjoys.
