Silvio Berlusconi has marked his 80th birthday quietly with his family, amid a flurry of greetings and reflections on the former Italian premier's political career that spanned more than two decades.

Italian television and dailies used Thursday's occasion to contemplate the legacy of the three-time former premier and billionaire media mogul, with Corriere della Sera commenting that Berlusconi had "colonized the imagination of the Italians like no other political leader."

Commentators also noted his frequent gaffes, long judicial battles and penchant for unusual headgear.

Berlusconi's political fortunes have waned since being ousted from parliament over a tax fraud conviction. He underwent open-heart surgery earlier this year.

The AC Milan soccer club posted a birthday video for Berlusconi on its website, while political allies tweeted greetings under the hashtag #Berlusconi80.