E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Filippo Monteforte / AFP - Getty Images
Karima El-Mahroug, better known by her stage name “Ruby the Heart Stealer,” went from a runaway belly dancer to the richest (alleged) concubine in Italian President Silvio Berlusconi’s harem in a few weeks.
by Claudio Lavanga of NBC News
ROME - She is known as the “Heart Stealer” but she could just as well have called herself the “gold-digger.”
In only a few weeks, Karima El-Mahroug, better known by her stage name “Ruby the Heart Stealer,” went from a runaway belly dancer to the richest (alleged) concubine in Italian President Silvio Berlusconi’s harem.
A recently published list of the presents she received from Italy’s embattled prime minister could prove either that they really had sex, as Italian investigators claim, or that Berlusconi is the most generous philanthropist in Italy?
Delving into the treasure trove she filled with presents from the prime minister, investigators found goodies totaling more than $300,000. Among them are two Rolex watches worth approximately $70,000 each, a $25,000-designer necklace and an expensive Valentino dress he gave her on Valentine’s Day, when they first met. Is there a better day to meet a heart stealer?
Because he is accused of having had sex with El-Mahroug when she was still a minor, therefore committing a felony, Berlusconi has defended himself with a series of contradicting accounts. First he said he believed her when she told him she was the granddaughter of now-deposed President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt. Then the prime minister said he showered El-Mahroug with presents after taking pity on her.
So what’s worse? If the prime minister believed that the nightclub belly-dancer was a relative of a head of state, how can Italians trust he will be taken seriously on the international stage? But if Berlusconi showered El-Mahroug with expensive presents because he took pity on her, when is he going to take pity on the rest of recession-battered Italy?
Example for women?
While Italy has never been a model of gender equality, others are more concerned with the example “Rubygate” is providing a generation of Italian women. Many are afraid that admissions by dozens of party-goers that they earned a living by attending Berlusconi’s reputedly wild events will only encourage young women to use their bodies to get ahead.
“Women in this country are denigrated by the repeated, indecent and ostentatious representation of women as a naked sexual object on offer in newspapers, televisions and advertising,” The Washington Post quoted protest organizer Ida Poletto as saying.
While in Milan, NBC News interviewed two of the many former and current TV showgirls who are said to have attended Berlusconi’s “bunga-bunga” parties, or sex-fueled post-dinner fiestas at the prime minister’s villa. They said they saw nothing wrong with receiving expensive presents from a 74-year-old leader.
"He’s like a second father to me, and yes, sometimes he helps us out,” Barbara Guerra, a starlet on one of Berlusconi’s private channels, told NBC News. “But as a friend, without asking anything in exchange. Like any friend would do in his position.”
The question many women who have rebelled against this renewed culture of sexism in Italy are asking is: Where does an act of friendship end and prostitution begin?
Whatever the answer, more and more women I have interviewed in Rome have no doubt in their minds: If they were given $200,000, they too would gladly go to one of Berlusconi’s wild parties.
Leave a Comment:
$$$ is never directly for sex. The only difference between marriage and prostitution is that one you pay to stay and the other you pay to leave. Guess which is which.
I beg to differ. There's a huge difference between marriage and prostitution. The basis for any real marriage is love and trust. Prostitution is all about sex for money. If you think otherwise, you're either jaded, delusional, or simply never had the real thing.
maybe other differences are in marriage you have kids, with prostitutes you have new diseases.
Apparently Angel and Tommy don't have a sense of humor to offer a marriage. Geez lighten up.
buttzie I thought what I posted very funny. maybe your buttzie got a lesion, wart or rash and are a bit sensitive in the cornholius? Is that why you're a bit buttzie tonight?
Saint watch it or you may get buttzied
Also she looks wired off her rocker
THIS SITE IS SO FUNNY!! People sharing their personal opinion of what marriage is, when yesterdays front page internet article was about an adultrious website for married people who need a little spark to keep their perfect marriages together.
The canadian web owner made $$$$$60 million, ($$10 million profit) in 2009 from married men & women who neede a little excitement in their marriage??
Not bad for a downward economy!!!
FOR ZORROACA's comment about his position as king, not important when it comes to horny men, Clinton was president of the Most Powerful free world country, UNITED STATES, and he could not contain himself either!!
Zorroaca
I didn't find this very funny at all. But I understand how I could have missed the implied humor....however
This is very funny.
Look, what ever a man and woman decided to do is their business. This girl is 17, she is already having sex. So what if she decides to get gifts from her lover? Marriage is a paid profession this days. First it is about love, then in the end, it is all about the money!!!!! STOP BEING HYPROCRITES!!!!!! And yes he is the leader of Italy, GEE how many women of "legal age" have slept with a man because of his status. WAKE UP WORLD!!!!
my god! you mean men use money and power to get hot chicks?
this is a new and interesting development in human history!
Somehow I don't believe she fits the category of the wide eyed innocent that gets seduced by the rich older man.
Does that make a difference?? 17 is 17!! the law is the law ... and he's not just some rich older man ... he's the F**king leader of the country!!!
What if she were 17 years and 364 days old???
Zorroaca, you get nominated as lead fanatic of the day. Judging by your post you definitely qualify. Somehow I picture that you would defend this girl against everything, even if is found that she is a prostitute, but you would defend her because you would view the man as being the real guilty party, ignoring the fact that it takes two.
Wow, she is smokin. No way I would think she was 17
17 is legal in Italy. Prostitution at 17 is the felony.
Dennis, thank you for clarifying the law for the "smokin hot" crowd and the "under-age" crowd. This is the heart of the issue.
If that babe was of legal age and he didn't use Italian tax money for the "gifts", then leave the old man alone. Good for him...LOL
I'm thinking it was not the Bling ...most likely the Bresaola wrapped in a few hundred euro's
what a bad man for taking advantage of the plights of less fortunate women. the only sensual contact that should occur between people should be because of agape love sanctioned by the state not petty things like money, looks, jobs, or politics. the world must find a way to outlaw these debase inhuman animal-like encounters. I will vote for Republicans because they look like they never have sex and therefore must think the same way I do, except for that tanned Boehner guy, I don't know how that obvious male whore got his position in such an upstanding political party
I'm impressed !!! What a segue into degrading a Republican. I wonder how many other quick wits could make that transition so easily?
Philip - Actually, looking at most Republican leaders I'm surprised there is still a GOP. Who in their right mind wants to go to bed with ANY of them???
how about instead of putting this all on the man who uses his resources to get fine women the way any man would, and put the onus on these young prostitutes for being hoes? why doesnt the responsability fall on thier laps?
And who and what system made them "hoes" as you put it. By using "hoes" it shows a lot about you!
There is absolutely no way that chick looks 17. Shes a slut, face it. Dancing for men, underage, taking money and her grandfather was the leader of Egypt. Prostitute I guess fits, since she did get paid.
Because they're not the lap---Berlesconi is.
Mike, how do you who's in who's lap? Where you there? Maybe she's doing all the hard work here and Berlusconi is the one takin it... :-) ...and in this case she really should get paid having to deal with that crusty old prune! At the end of the day if it takes all your precious time (while your wishing you were somewhere else), and its no fun at all, and then somehow you get paid for it...its because its just a stupid job. It's what people do for money. That smokin hot girl in Italy might not have that many real opportunities (or supportive family) to help her finances, and if she decided to pass on the hot-waitress career route at the local cafe and instead opt for a pirates chest full of Berlusconi treasure instead...can you really blame her all that much? If she did have sex with him for money I'm just glad she got paid for it. History has taught us that this exchange of gifts (money for sex) will never ever go away until we are extent. It is time that we look at sex for what it is. And whatever that is will be different for just about everybody. Karima has already made her decision about it, and good for her. Now if only Berlusconi would just pull out once in a while and get his country out of its recession all would be well in the country of very tasty food...and smokin hot ladies.
It kills me how this is always framed as men taking advantage of women, degrading them, and using them.
She ended up with around 300k in gifts, and that's what we know about. Even if she was sleeping with him she was definitely coming out on the top end of the deal. More like she was taking advantage of him and his weakness.
It reminds me of an article I was reading about prostitutes from Ukraine. The reporters had gone to investigate trafficking, and had been surprised to find that the women there were going willingly knowing full well what they were getting into. One woman laughed at him saying "no one is dragging us by the hair, we walk onto the boats on our own." The port of Odessa was full of women waiting for their chance to go.
It's a shame what men think and the stupid things that can come out of their pea brains!! It would be very nice if a strong man could force their peter in your behind so we could all clap and say "you know you like it"!!!
Why, because I refuse to believe women are always the victims in these things?
She's old enough to know what she's doing. In that country, she is also well above the age of consent. Just not the age to be a paid lay. Odd rules.
I'm a woman and I do not buy the "victim" bs either. I also think he is wrong for abusing his power and taking advantage. But she is not some innocent for cryin out loud!!
Same thing with underage Japanese prostitution. Nobody forces them into it or kidnaps them into prostitution, they willing go into it themselves so as to get money to buy stuff like the latest cell phones, buying Gucci and Prada bags.
Some are even using the money earned from that to buy stocks, forex trading, and using as a down payment on real estate to get ahead while everybody else does the low end work like flipping burgers at McDonalds. They just decide it's much faster and more easier to spend an hour being banged by sweaty old men and earning a grand per quikie.
Their mindset is "heck you're only young once, no one's gonna pay to sleep with you after 30, might as well make top yen when you're still young! You think that cheapens you, well good luck continuing to earn minimum wage at McDonalds while I get ahead in this world."
They know pedophiles pay top yen to sleep with them even though it’s illegal, but heck $1000 or more for an hour of quikie earning enough to buy the latest Winter Paris Collection handbags or the latest cell phone is well worth it in their view. And if the guy refuses to pay, record the ordeal on their cell phones and blackmail them by calling it rape. No matter which way it plays out, it's a win for the underage prostitutes in Japan.
U R damm right Ken. V hv University graduates in our country who R selling their bodies for the bigger bucks they'll get rahter than sitting in the office being innocent with MUCH LESSER earning. They choose the path they walk. They know very well what they are doing. It takes 2 hands to clap! Wisdom to the Italians when they vote in the next election.
Are you an underaged Japanese whore? Or did one just "GET" you. It seems like you harbor an alarmingly high interest in underage Asian girls, from the segue onto your miniature rant. A child is a child, our job is to protect children from themselves until they gain enough knowledge to not only be self aware, but to also be capable of making the decisions that protect themselves from the dangers of the world. One cannot justify anything based on the behavior of others. If its right, its right. Wrong is still gonna always be wrong. The law dosn't always represent justice, but justice will be meted by the villagers.
@zorroaca both of them are responsible for their actions, i would say moreso Berlusconi in this case because he is a head of state n he is supposed to be setting the standards. This just shows that leaders nowadays are the worst scumbags amongst us. Still tho, even tho shes 17, it wasn't like she was drugged n raped, she knew exactly what she was going into, n this isn't some innocent little girl, its obvious that shes a big time goldigger n its women like her n a**holes like Berlusconi that bring down family values. Theres no doubt Berlusconi is a scumbag but this girl is the definiton of a hoe
@no one of particular import
I was an English teacher in Japan and the stuff I learned over there shocked me. It’s called “enjo kosai” or in English, “compensated dating.” Anyway they say it, it still is illegal underage prostitution that some girls willingly do themselves to earn extra money not out of poverty, but to indulge themselves in conspicuous consumption. When I asked them what they do with the money, they say “this $800 Prada bag,” “this kick ass new cell phone,” and some even “junk bonds in Indonesia; already made 5 times the investment.”
You try to talk some sense to them, but kids in Japan today are really smart with everything around them. A simple Google gives them all the info and answer they need. Even a kindergartener knows how babies are really made, they just Google it. You want more answers, Wikipedia provides in-depth explanation. It’s not the age of storks, tooth fairy, or Santa Claus anymore; it’s the age of “ask Mr. Google, he knows everything.”
And kids today know the reality from a younger age; and in their view, everything that adults say is BS. You give them a lecture that “enjo kosai” is wrong, and they just whip out their iPhone and lecture me back on supply and demand, that there is a demand of pedophiles out there willing to pay top money for a limited supply, and they fit perfectly to that supply.
Then they mocked me how I’m wasting money being a teacher, how they sometimes make more money in one night than I do in a month. It was very disturbing to see capitalism at its worst when kids as young as 14 knew the harsh reality that you're either a "winner" or a "loser" in a capitalistic world.
And when they don't like the lecturing, they just say “sensei, I SO ADMIRE YOU (sarcasm) of your fairy tale view of the world, but you both know that this is just all BS; don’t try to cover my eyes and try to protect me; you can lecture me all you want, but the truth is, I can just as easily quash you right now by yelling ‘RAPE’ and everyone will believe me even though you did nothing to me and just gave me a lecture. So, sensei, don’t piss me off with your ‘lectures’; you have no idea what power children have today (smile).”
That's when I learned that kids today don't need sheltering; they only grow up to become obnoxious know-it-alls. "Go to you room and think what you did!" "Meh, I'll just go up and play XBOX." "No dinner tonight" "Meh, I've got my own bank account, I'll just order pizza over the internet." Stuff don't work anymore as they intended to. Kids today need a harsh five across the eyes when they do something wrong as this. It worked for thousands of years and our grandparents, great-grandparents and generations before that grew up perfectly fine under those lessons. But nowadays you try to do that, you get arrested for child abuse.
Zorroaca, pretty harsh comment here. A personal attack and a rape wish. You are suspended for a day for violating # 1 of the Code of Honor.
One look at Ruby dancing, and he was done. I don't blame him - she's a knockout. If I was a billionaire, I'd give her some serious cash for some hip, too.
That was a bad photo of her to be honest.
People always giving opinions, if it is consentual let people make whatever arrangements they want, sex for money, for bread, for beer, whatever. They are going to do it anyway.
She is hot, but I don't know about $300,000 hot!
fair exchange. no robbery. let's move on to more serious things like the social unrest in northern africa.
It is hard for me to place much blame on either one of them. I mean, when a guy goes to an adult entertainment bar, or to a brothel, does he check the ID of each girl he has interest in to verify their age? I seriously doubt it. I don't really see how this is actually newsworthy. Let's consider the fact that Italy has had pornstars elected to their parliamnet, and re-evaluate the importance of this story.
This guy, Burlusconi, is like having Hugh Hefner in the White House. Can you imagine? The White House would be filled with Young bimbos sporting fake boobs, pouty lips and too much make-up. There would be parties every night, viagra by the pound, silk bathrobes with the presidential seal, and special cabins on Air Force One for those wishing a little privacy.
The bad thing about Burlusconi is by his treatment of women, he sets the clock back 40 years. He doesn't even pretend to give them respect, and this is hurting the opportunities for women in Italy. Unless their goal is to be a mistress or a gold-digger.
Hmm, sounds like the Clinton presidency. Except with much, much hotter bimbos. And larger salaries.
I'll bet you could get a lot of 18 year old sex for 300 k .
You gotta admit, that chick is HOT!
Who cares!! Go girl!! At least she is using her assets before they go!! Love does not pay the rent. Good for him too!! Older men know how to treat their treats!!!!
Wow....where do I start? Kids are dumb. Teens are kids. Easy money by selling your most intimate possession is kinda sad really. That alot girls feel it's the only way to make decent money in this world is sadder yet. They sell what men seem to cherish.....damn.
She's a hobag gold digger even at 17 and he's 'Chester the Molester'. Perfectly matched couple.
As I am sure there are plenty of writers and columnists with stories such as "Is marrying for money the right thing to do?" and "How to marry a rich man" out there in Cosmo and Allure and the likes. Women have been doing this all along. Marrying for money. Here's the shocker: When they are openly caught at such a young age, it's disgraceful. Then women yell foul because the dude is older than dust and runs the fricking country. Either side of the coin just makes me sick.
what a babe. I bet he did it, and doesn't regret it!
Please, what about Hugh Hefner, Eighty What? and you get a reality show..what you don't hear about are the numerous underage girls at his parties, but, Hey, it's Hef, it's Hollywood, it's OK...
She doesn't look like 17, she looks like 37.
These people don't have any morals or respect to what is more sacred, the body and soul.
You need to money to survive but when you make money & riches your God this is when it becomes an evil deed.
It's worthless like a pile of @!$%#. God have mercy on us. :(
I think that it is important to remember that she is 17. The law should stop treating consenting 17 year olds like 7 year olds. Then we could focus on actual child molesters....most 17 year olds now are way ahead of the 70 year olds in terms of "the game." Personal responsibility should start by like 15 at the latest for many different things. It would encourage better behavior and less victim mentality. Especially in terms of violent crimes committed by teens there needs to be greater responsiblility.
Do you really believe that the minds of teenagers are fully developed at 16 or 17? Or know real love or the consequences of sex around those ages?
Again, in Italy the legal age of consent is 14. At 17 she is well over the age of consent. However the legal age to be a prostitute is 18. Therein lies the felony.
Wow , italians , i say he should get what he deserves, i wonder if she was that good. lmao
Wow Italians, you cant tell me he didnt know she was a child. I say he gets what he deserves. Plus was she really that good.