Berlusconi highest-earning politician in Italy

Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's income last year rose 20% to 48 million euros (around 63 million) that allowed him to keep the title of Italy's highest-earning politician.

Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's income last year rose 20% to 48 million euros (around 63 million) that allowed him to keep the title of Italy's highest-earning politician.

The billionaire media tycoon in 2011 declared more than 48 million euros in income, of which he paid almost 21 million euros in taxes, according to parliamentary declarations released Monday.

Berlusconi's immense wealth has its roots in real estate development in Milan from which he branched out into mass media, becoming the owner of Italy's largest private broadcasting company Mediaset.

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Berlusconi's successor as prime minister, Mario Monti, last year earned 1.5 million euros.