Silvio Berlusconi and the Politics of Sex

Beauty Queen
In part because of Berlusconi and his shows, the status of showgirls in Italian society has risen dramatically. A Milan talent agent notes that her firm used to get 10 to 15 applications a week. Now they get hundreds. "Sure, everyone wants to be one," says one secretary hoping to land a spot on Quelli Che...Il Calico. "If you're a velina then you have the chance to get to know football players, and if you marry them, you could end up with a lot of money."

• Berlusconi's Girls
• Berlusconi Gaffes