Richard Lugner, the Austrian billionaire known for bringing celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Pamela Anderson to the Vienna Opera Ball, has died at the age of 91. People, He died at his villa in Vienna on Monday, two months after marrying his sixth wife, Simone Reilander. Emergency services rushed to his home, but he could not be saved.
According to AFP, Mr Lugner had been battling several health issues and had undergone surgery in recent months. Despite his health challenges, he managed to attend the prestigious Vienna Opera Ball in February with Priscilla Presley, the former wife of Elvis Presley.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer paid an emotional tribute to him on Christmas Day, writing: “Richard Lugner was a successful entrepreneur and a wonderful personality. An Austrian native who never lost his way. May his soul rest in peace!”
Richard Lugner fought a successful Unternehmer and another scholarly man. An original Österreichische, dass sich nie verbogen hat. Er Ruhe in Frieden! pic.twitter.com/tqp6Zau9fJ
— Karl Nehammer (@karlnehammer) August 12, 2024
Who was Richard Lugner?
Mr Lugner was a successful Austrian entrepreneur who made his fortune in construction and real estate and was also known for his lavish lifestyle and celebrity connections. Mr Lugner’s celebrity guests included Joan Collins, Jane Fonda, Pamela Anderson, Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton.
One of his most enduring legacies is the iconic Lugner City shopping center in Vienna, which he built in 1990. The complex posted a touching tribute to its founder on Facebook, calling him “our mortar and above all our beloved boss.”
The billionaire also had political ambitions and ran twice in the Austrian presidential elections as an independent candidate, once in 1998 and again in 2016. Euro News.
Notably, his death came just two months after he married Simone Reilander, 42. The couple married on June 1 in an intimate ceremony at Vienna City Hall in the presence of close friends and family. At the wedding, Mr Lugner announced, “This will be his last marriage,” People reported, citing local media reports.
He was previously married to Christine Gmeiner (1961–1978), Cornelia Laufersweiler (1979–1983), Susanne Dietrich (1984–1989), Christina Lugner (1990–2007), as well as Playboy model and actress Kathy Schmitz (2014–2016).
He leaves behind four children from his previous marriage.
