Silvio Berlusconi & Veronica Lario: She Won €3M/Month — Then Had to Pay €60M Back
The Italian prime minister’s ex won record alimony — then the appeals court made her give it all back
Key Facts
What Happened
The Berlusconi-Lario divorce was already one of the most dramatic in European history when it took a stunning reversal. Veronica Lario had filed for divorce in 2009, publicly denouncing her husband’s behavior with young women at his infamous 'bunga bunga' parties. A Milan court initially awarded her €3 million per month in maintenance — among the highest periodic support awards ever granted in Europe.
Berlusconi, whose net worth was estimated at €6.8 billion, appealed relentlessly. His legal team argued that Lario — a former actress from a privileged background — was fully capable of supporting herself and that the initial award was disproportionate. They also argued that Lario had initiated the divorce and thus bore some responsibility for ending the marriage.
In 2017, the Milan Court of Appeals delivered a bombshell ruling. Not only was Lario’s monthly maintenance slashed, but the court ordered her to repay approximately €60 million in maintenance she had already received under the original award. The reasoning: Lario had independent means, the original award was excessive, and Italian law was evolving toward expecting self-sufficiency from divorced spouses.
The repayment order was extraordinary and sent shockwaves through Italian family law. It demonstrated that initial alimony awards in Italy are not safe until all appeals are exhausted — a process that can take nearly a decade. Lario’s case became a cautionary tale about spending large alimony awards before they are finalized on appeal. The broader context of Berlusconi’s bunga bunga trials — he was acquitted of paying for sex with an underage prostitute — made the case a spectacle of Italian politics, law, and culture.
Legal Breakdown: Alimony Appeals & Reversals
Alimony Reversal on Appeal
Italian appeals courts have broad power to re-evaluate alimony from scratch. Unlike common law systems where appeals focus on legal errors, Italian appeals can reconsider all facts. This means an initial favorable ruling is never secure until all appeals are exhausted.
Repayment of 'Overpaid' Support
The €60M repayment order was based on the principle of unjust enrichment — Lario had received more than she was entitled to. In jurisdictions where appeals can reduce awards retroactively, recipients risk having to return money they’ve already spent.
Self-Sufficiency Trend in Europe
European courts are increasingly moving toward time-limited support and self-sufficiency expectations for divorced spouses. Lario’s former acting career was used as evidence she could earn independently, even though she hadn’t acted in decades.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Do not spend large alimony awards until all appeals are exhausted. You may have to return the money.
- →Initial alimony rulings in many jurisdictions are not final. Budget conservatively until the case is truly over.
- →European courts are trending toward self-sufficiency expectations. A historical career — even dormant — can be used against you.
- →The appeals process in high-net-worth divorces can last a decade. Plan your finances for the long haul.
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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.