Flamboyant, contentious Silvio Berlusconi, a three-time prime minister and a significant coalition partner in Italy's current government, spent a long time being simultaneously admired and despised.
Il Cavaliere, or "the Knight," as he is known at home, is a nickname that will stick with you. Furthermore, he leaves an irrevocable Berlusconi-like mark on European politics.
I began following Silvio Berlusconi's political career when he won his first election in 1994. Later, as a journalist, but initially as a student, I wrote a dissertation for graduate school titled "Il cammino inarrestabile di Silvio Berlusconi - The unstoppable rise of Silvio Berlusconi.".
That year, Berlusconi merely sparked a political earthquake in Europe; its aftershocks will continue to be felt long after his state funeral on Wednesday.
Back in the 1990s, it seemed revolutionary to have an influential EU and NATO military alliance member like Italy led by a business tycoon, former cruise ship crooner, and generally screamin' obvious non-career politician.
Silvio Berlusconi promoted a more nationalist, "Italy First" type of narrative during that period of political deepening of the European project, which was centered in Brussels.
He once advised EU leaders at a summit to speak more about women and football, a member of the audience told me.
The post-fascist far-right, which had previously been taboo in post-World War II Italy, became more socially acceptable as a result of Berlusconi's coalition government at home.
He claimed to speak the language of "ordinary people," which was politically incorrect on purpose. He was also unapologetically using his media empire against political rivals. Additionally, he blatantly disregarded the legal system, later attempting to change Italian law to shield himself from prosecution.
Is there anything recognizable about Berlusconi's political playbook?
He is, in many ways, the originator of contemporary populist nationalism in Europe. Numerous ambitious right-leaning politicians and political movements all over the continent display characteristics of his political cocktail.
Consider Victor Orban of Hungary, the governments of multiple countries in Austria, Marine Le Pen of France, and others who expressed their public sorrow over the passing of Silvio Berlusconi on Monday.
You could also make comparisons to people who are further away, like Mr. Berlusconi's hero, former US President Donald Trump.
He had a thing for populist leaders like Vladimir Putin, with whom he had a close friendship. He is even alleged to have given the Russian president a duvet cover adorned with pictures of both men. When President Putin learned of Mr. Berlusconi's passing on Monday, he referred to him as "a dear person, a true friend.".
A stark contrast to his frequently tense relationship with Germany and France, Italy's longtime allies.
Especially after the invasion of Ukraine, when Mr. Berlusconi was back in coalition government, this closeness to Moscow alarmed Italy's allies.
He was widely mocked and despised in Brussels, the home of the European Union.
Even when Italy was affected by the 2008 economic crisis, Berlusconi was unable to significantly change Italy or improve its fortunes despite his rhetoric, hyperbole, and almost unrelenting optimism in politics.
The real change he brought about, however, was his ability to inspire and empower a new generation of aspirational politicians in the larger European political scene.