Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi told a BBC reporter that her handshake was so strong that “no one will marry her”.
The remark was caught on camera as video journalist Sofia Bettiza went to say goodbye after an interview.
The video, posted to the BBC News website, shows the 81-year-old telling her: “Don’t shake hands like that”.
He then warns her to “be careful”, referring to her being unmarried as evidence of his argument.
Ms Bettiza told him in Italian: “Thank you, goodbye,” as she shook his hand.
Mr Berlusconi then turned to her and said: “Don’t shake hands like that, it’s too strong.”
Ms Bettiza replied: “Was it too strong?”
Mr Berlusconi said: “Otherwise men will think she is going to beat me up, no one will marry you. Are you already married? You see? Be careful.”
Ms Bettiza then asked: “But I thought it was a good thing to have a strong handshake?”
Mr Berlusconi replied: “No, a little less, whoever is going to marry you?” He added: “I’m joking, you have to joke once in a while.”
It’s not the first time the veteran politician has found himself in hot water over offensive comments.
In 2016, he claimed “a mother cannot be a mayor” in criticism of then-pregnant Giorgia Meloni, leader of the Brothers of Italy party, who was running in the Rome election contest.
“A mother cannot be mayor. Being mayor means being in your office 14 hours a day,” he said. “I don’t think this could be the right choice for Meloni.”
After Donald Trump’s election, he told a TV interviewer his favourite thing about the US President was his wife: “I can say, like many men and women, I like Melania. For her beauty, for her style and also her charm.”
He also referred to French President Emmanuel Macron’s wife Brigitte as his “good-looking mum” in a seeming jibe at the couple’s age gap.
Mr Berlusconi was banned from running for office after being convicted of tax fraud. He was also caught up in a series of sex scandals that undermined his political career.
But he has since made a comeback after his party, Forza Italia (Go Italy!), entered a coalition with the Northern League and the smaller Brothers of Italy in the upcoming elections, which could allow him a seat at the table.
The BBC declined to comment.
