February 2003 then president Carlo Azeglio Ciampi bestowed Italy's highest political honour on him, by nominating him Senator for life. In the first five years as lifetime senator, he was an independent. From 2008 until his death in June 2013, Colombo was a member of the Autonomies group, formed mainly by elects in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. After the inconclusive elections on 24–25 February 2013 and the following difficulties of the hung Senate in electing a presiding officer, Colombo became Provisional President of the Senate until the election of Pietro Grasso on 16 March 2013. The most oldest Senator, Former Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, was due to inaugurate the new legislature but his unavailability benefited Colombo. After the death of Giulio Andreotti on 6 May 2013, Colombo became the last surviving member of the Italian Constituent Assembly. Personal life In November 2003, he admitted to have used cocaine (for "therapeutic purposes") over a 12- to 18-month period. Colombo died in Rome on 24 June 2013 at the age of 93. Honours and awards : Grand Officier of the Legion of Honour : Commemorative Medal of the 2,500 year celebration of the Persian Empire : Knight of Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic : Grand Cross of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George : Gold Medal of the Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe, in 2011. References External links 1920 births 2013 deaths People from Potenza Christian Democracy (Italy) politicians Italian Roman Catholics Prime Ministers of Italy Finance ministers of Italy Foreign ministers of Italy Members of the Constituent Assembly of Italy Deputies of Legislature I of Italy Deputies of Legislature II of Italy Deputies of Legislature III of Italy Deputies of Legislature IV of Italy Deputies of Legislature V of Italy Deputies of Legislature VI of Italy Deputies of Legislature VII of Italy Deputies of Legislature VIII of Italy Deputies of Legislature IX of Italy Deputies of Legislature X of Italy Deputies of Legislature XI of Italy Italian life senators Senators of Legislature XIV of Italy Senators of Legislature XV of Italy Senators of Legislature XVI of Italy Senators of Legislature XVII of Italy Christian Democracy (Italy) MEPs Presidents of the European Parliament MEPs for Italy 1958–1979 MEPs for Italy 1979–1984 Politicians of Basilicata Mayors of Potenza Grand Officiers of the Légion d'honneur Grand Crosses 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic