The Hindu : International : Spruce up, says Berlusconi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 01, 2005

International

International

Spruce up, says Berlusconi

Rome: The world's rich and powerful — already bowed under the weight of their great responsibilities — were advised on Thursday that they must learn to cope with yet another obligation. Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian Prime Minister, told them it was their duty to follow his example and undergo cosmetic surgery. His admonition to the opulent but wrinkly, the influential but hairless, came at his year-end press conference when he acknowledged for the first time that he had had a hair transplant in the summer after undergoing facial surgery last Christmas. ``Given the possibilities of today's cosmetic surgery, I think that those who can afford it have a duty to present themselves in the best possible way,'' the tycoon-turned-statesman told the press conference in Rome. In a country where keeping up appearances is regarded almost a moral imperative, most politicians take care to look their best. However, at 67, Mr. Berlusconi has raised image-consciousness to new levels.

— © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

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