Basta Berlusconi!

Italy's top court has confirmed the prison sentence of ex-prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, upholding the first ever definitive conviction in the billionaire tycoon's checkered career.

But it wasn't tax fraud that led to Berlusconi's public downfall. Instead, it was the sex parties, prostitutes and alleged intercourse with the underage Ruby (seen here). These escapades disturbed even his most loyal fans. The former prime minister may serve seven years in jail because of the Ruby affair, although the verdict is not yet final. The appeal is still ongoing.

Despite all the scandals, Berlusconi enjoyed years of political success. His conservative party, People of Freedom, is the main coalition partner of center-left Prime Minister Enrico Letta. Berlusconi served four terms as Italy's premier, making him Italy's longest serving government leader.

Berlusconi's enemies are as passionate as his followers, as seen here by the topless protest by Femen during February's parliamentary election. Women's organizations and leftist parties were already leading mass protests against the then-prime minister in 2010. And in 2009, a man suffering from mental illness threw a souvenir statue at Berlusconi, injuring his face.

Bursting with self-confidence, Berlusconi often delighted his television audience and sometimes bewildered state guests with his own handwritten tearjerkers. His motto: I can do everything. His fans loved it and bought his CD, "True Love."

As a media mogul, Berlusconi's political power was reinforced by appearances on his private television channels. But he also appeared regularly on state broadcaster RAI as a talk show guest to defend his policies and his personal life. As prime minister, he filled the top jobs at RAI with officials friendly to his cause.

In August 2012, a newspaper from the Berlusconi group accused Germany of starting a "Fourth Reich" with its attempts to break Italy with austerity cuts. Half a year earlier, Chancellor Angela Merkel, together with the EU, had pushed for Berlusconi to resign because he had not been able to bring Italy's economy and its debt crisis under control.

At Düsseldorf's Carnival parade in 2010, revelers showed their anger over Berlusconi's antics. Scandals and alleged cooperation with the Mafia served as inspiration for scathing criticism.

In 2009, Berlusconi's divorce from his wife led to mudslinging and was the talk of the country. Veronica Lario Berlusconi accused the premier of cultivating relationships with minors, calling him "sick." Lario was awarded 36 million euros ($48 million) a year in a divorce settlement. Soon after, Berlusconi was engaged to a saleswoman - nearly 50 years younger than him.

After his second election victory in 2001, Berlusconi, who likes to be known as 'cavaliere' (knight), was ready for a laugh. He had done it: risen from a building contractor to media mogul, billionaire and head of government. Today, Berlusconi's daughter Marina heads his Fininvest business empire. Her father holds the majority of shares and also owns soccer club, AC Milan.

For most of his business and public life, Berlusconi has claimed he was being hounded by prosecutors from the "left." He was able to avoid, delay or let lapse numerous trials for tax fraud, corruption or bribery, which protesters have not failed to notice. Only one verdict has actually been legally binding.

Seen here in 1994 - with less hair and more wrinkles - Berlusconi first took office as prime minister under the soccer battle cry of "Forza Italia." Since then, the 76-year-old has added hair implants and a facelift.