Berlusconi showers teen model pal with mystery gift on 19th b'day

London, May 7 : Aspiring lingerie model Noemi Letizia whose friendship with Silvio Berlusconi came close to ruining his political career along with his marriage is still in contact with the Italian Prime Minister.

Letizia came in the limelight after Berlusconi attended her 18th birthday party a year ago in the Naples suburb of Casoria. He gave Letizia — who said she called him "Papi" — a 5,087-pound gold and diamond necklace. Later news reports came in claiming that at the age of 17 she had attended New Year celebrations at his villa in Sardinia with a girlfriend but without her parents.

And a year later, Letizia has celebrated her 19th birthday but declined to say what present she received from Berlusconi, reports The Times.

While talking about the place she celebrated her b'day, Letizia said that the venue was "for young people" and therefore not suitable for the Prime Minister, 73.

However, she told reporters that he had telephoned her to offer his congratulations. The call "at least let me know he was thinking of me", she said. Asked what he had given her she replied: "Everyone is asking what it was. Let them remain in doubt."