Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi says his estranged wife Veronica Lario, who is due to receive 300,000 euros a month in their divorce settlement, "knows how to save". Berlusconi discussed his divorce with celebrated author Bruno Vespa in his latest book, Nel Segno del Cavaliere, a biography of the premier, AKI reported.
"Veronica is a woman who knows how to save and all her estate will be destined to our children," he said.
In a statement released by Vespa, Berlusconi revealed that Lario will remain at her villa in Macherio and will continue to keep 20 people on staff, including security.
He described the divorce as a "fair transaction" but said he was "saddened" by the breakdown of their relationship after 19 years of marriage.
The billionaire also denied any conflict of interest as head of the government and as one of the country's wealthiest entrepreneurs who controls a private media empire.
Lario filed for divorce last May after revelations that the billionaire media tycoon had attended the 18th birthday party of an aspiring model who said she called him "Daddy".
A former actress, Lario had demanded 3.5 million euros a month from her husband, who owns Italy's three biggest private television stations, as well as other media assets.