Austrian entrepreneur and billionaire Richard Lugner died on Monday, August 12, 2024, at his villa in Vienna. He was 91 years old.
Lugner, known for hosting celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Jane Fonda, and Pamela Anderson at the Vienna Opera Ball, had reportedly been dealing with health issues and undergone recent surgery.
On June 1, 2024, he married his sixth wife, Simone Reiländer, 42, at Vienna City Hall. At the time, he stated, “It will be the last marriage.”
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer paid tribute to Lugner on social media, describing him as a “successful entrepreneur and a dazzling personality.”
Lugner built the Lugner City shopping center in Vienna in 1990. The complex posted a tribute on Facebook, expressing deep sorrow at his passing.
The entrepreneur ran for Austrian president twice as an independent candidate, in 1998 and 2016. He began his career in the construction industry.
Richard is survived by four children: Jacqueline, Nadine, Alexander, and Andreas. He was previously married five times, including to Playboy model Cathy Schmitz from 2014 to 2016.
His last public appearance was at the Vienna Opera Ball in February 2024, where he was accompanied by Priscilla Presley.
