Berlusconi Marrying Girlfriend, 27

The world can only hope this means no more bunga bunga parties: Silvio Berlusconi is getting married—to a woman almost 50 years his junior no less, the Independent reports. "Finally I feel less lonely. I am engaged to a Neapolitan, it's official," said Italy's former PM, 76, on a talk show yesterday. Francesca Pascale, 27, has "very solid values," he said, and is "beautiful on the outside and even more beautiful on the inside." Berlusconi added that his daughter Marina, 46, "appreciates her and loves her very much."

The Telegraph last week profiled Pascale, calling her Berlusconi's "new girlfriend," though acknowledging there had been rumors of a relationship for months. Pascale, a former shop assistant, also served as provincial councilor in Berlusconi's political party until July. Bizarrely, she helped found a Berlusconi support group called "Silvio, we miss you." And she has said in the past that her life revolves around her family, politics, and the former prime minister. In political news, support for a possible Berlusconi re-election bid is dropping. (More Francesca Pascale stories.)