When Silvio Berlusconi suggested the best way for an Italian woman to secure her financial future was to marry his son, the billionaire was condemned by political rivals. But hundreds of women have tried to follow his advice.
"You may not know, but my son received more than 360 sms's (mobile telephone messages) with offers of marriage," Berlusconi told reporters. "One girl even sent a photo of herself in a wedding dress."
Berlusconi, the centre-right opposition leader who is ahead in opinion polls to win the April 13-14 election, is famed for making "politically incorrect" quips.
On a TV chat show last week he was asked by a young woman how to set up home without a secure income.
Berlusconi replied: "As a father, I would advise you to marry Berlusconi's son, or someone similar."
Rome's Mayor Walter Veltroni criticised the comment as insensitive, but the woman herself said she thought it was a good joke and would vote for Berlusconi.
Twice prime minister, Berlusconi made a fortune in property and the media and owns broadcaster Mediaset, of which his 38-year-old son, Pier Silvio is a vice-president. Pier Silvio is unmarried but in a long-term relationship. Berlusconi has one other son, Luigi, who is 19 and a bachelor.
"You may not know, but my son received more than 360 sms's (mobile telephone messages) with offers of marriage," Berlusconi told reporters. "One girl even sent a photo of herself in a wedding dress."
Berlusconi, the centre-right opposition leader who is ahead in opinion polls to win the April 13-14 election, is famed for making "politically incorrect" quips.
On a TV chat show last week he was asked by a young woman how to set up home without a secure income.
Berlusconi replied: "As a father, I would advise you to marry Berlusconi's son, or someone similar."
Rome's Mayor Walter Veltroni criticised the comment as insensitive, but the woman herself said she thought it was a good joke and would vote for Berlusconi.
Twice prime minister, Berlusconi made a fortune in property and the media and owns broadcaster Mediaset, of which his 38-year-old son, Pier Silvio is a vice-president. Pier Silvio is unmarried but in a long-term relationship. Berlusconi has one other son, Luigi, who is 19 and a bachelor.