Silvio Berlusconi & Veronica Lario: €3 Million Per Month Alimony
The Italian PM's divorce involved bunga bunga parties and record-breaking alimony
Key Facts
What Happened
Veronica Lario, an actress, filed for divorce from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in 2009. She publicly cited his attendance at a teenager's birthday party and his appointment of young, attractive women to political positions.
An Italian court initially awarded Lario €3 million per month in alimony — one of the highest periodic spousal support awards in European history. Berlusconi's net worth was estimated at €6.8 billion.
Berlusconi appealed multiple times. In 2017, the Milan Court of Appeals dramatically reduced the award, ruling that Lario — a former actress — was capable of supporting herself. She was also ordered to return €60 million in past overpayments.
The case dragged through Italian courts for 8 years. It highlighted the enormous discrepancy in how different courts within the same country can view spousal support obligations.
Legal Breakdown: Extreme Alimony
Italian Alimony (Assegno di Mantenimento)
Italian law provides for spousal maintenance based on the marital standard of living. Unlike many US states, Italy has no statutory formula — judges have broad discretion, leading to wildly different outcomes on appeal.
Appeals Can Slash Awards
Lario's award was reduced by more than half on appeal. In Italy, appeals courts can re-evaluate the entire case, not just procedural errors. This makes first-instance awards less predictable.
Self-Sufficiency Standard
Italian courts increasingly expect former spouses to become self-sufficient. Lario's acting career — even though dormant — was used to argue she could earn independently.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Alimony awards can vary dramatically between courts in the same country. Always consider the appeal process.
- →Even multi-million-dollar awards can be reduced on appeal. Don't assume initial rulings are final.
- →Your earning capacity — not just current income — affects alimony decisions in many countries.
- →Long marriages generally produce larger support obligations, but the trend is toward self-sufficiency.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.