Austrian Billionaire’s Glamorous Life and Notable Connections End at 91

Richard Lugner, the iconic Austrian billionaire famed for his opulent lifestyle and relationships with A-list celebrities, has passed away at the age of 91.

At a Glance

Austrian billionaire Richard Lugner has died at 91.
He was known for hosting celebrities at the Vienna Opera Ball.
Lugner passed away on August 12, 2024, at his Vienna villa.
He had recently married his sixth wife, Simone Reiländer.
Lugner’s death marks the end of an era in high society and pop culture.

Lugner’s Legacy of Extravagance

Richard Lugner, an iconic figure in Austrian high society, passed away on August 12, 2024, at age 91. Known for his flamboyant lifestyle, Lugner often graced the pages of tabloids due to his high-profile romantic relationships and grand public appearances. He was particularly famous for entertaining numerous celebrities at the prestigious Vienna Opera Ball. Among his high-profile guests were Kim Kardashian, Jane Fonda, Pamela Anderson, and Goldie Hawn.

He held his final breath at his villa in Vienna, surrounded by loved ones. Lugner had been battling multiple health issues and had undergone surgery in recent months. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer paid tribute to him on social media, calling him a “successful entrepreneur and a dazzling personality.”

Richard Lugner dies two months after marrying 42-year-old bride — his 6th wife

Austrian billionaire and entrepreneur known as the don of the Vienna Opera Ball who squired A-listers like Goldie Hawn, Jane Fonda, Kim Kardashian and Priscilla Presley, was 91https://t.co/uvUPXkP3Cc

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) August 13, 2024

A Life Filled with High Society Glamour

Lugner’s name became synonymous with luxurious lifestyle and high society glamour. He made headlines not just for his business acumen but also for his personal life. Lugner recently married Simone Reiländer, making her his sixth wife. This wedding took place just two months before his death. The couple shared a significant 49-year age gap. He had previously stated, “It will be the last marriage,” a sentiment that echoed his experiences from his previous five marriages.

“You were the dream of my life. And when I saw you shine at the sight of me, then I knew that I was yours too. In love,” – Simone Reiländer (social media)

Among his previous spouses were Christine Gmeiner, Cornelia Laufersweiler, Susanne Dietrich, Christina Lugner, and Cathy Schmitz. He left behind four children: Jacqueline, Nadine, Alexander, and Andreas. Lugner’s commitment to ensuring his final wishes were known included planning his funeral arrangements and ordering his tombstone following his recent health scare.

Business Ventures and Political Aspirations

Lugner’s achievements were not confined to his social life. He built his business empire starting with small projects in the 1960s. His notable ventures included the construction of the Vienna Islamic Centre in 1975 and the opening of Lugner City shopping center in 1990, Austria’s seventh-largest shopping complex. His entrepreneurial success was recognized both locally and internationally. In 1992, he began the tradition of paying international celebrities to accompany him to the Vienna Opera Ball, further establishing his place in the spotlight.

“Our Engineer Richard Lugner, our mortar and above all our beloved boss has unfortunately left us today,” a caption translated from German read on the center’s Facebook page. “We can hardly put into words the pain we feel. The grief is indescribably great, but we want to reflect on all the beautiful and great times together. With a laughing and a crying eye we say goodbye to the great Richard Lugner, in our hearts he will stay forever!”

He also dipped his toes into politics, running as an independent candidate in the Austrian presidential elections in 1998 and 2016. Though he did not win, he garnered nearly 10% of the vote in his first attempt. Lugner’s larger-than-life persona left an indelible mark on Austrian culture and society.

Richard Lugner, a billionaire Austrian construction magnate who died this week at 91, was famous for showing up at the Vienna Opera Ball each year with megawatt Hollywood stars, whom he often paid to appear with him. https://t.co/atRBDhG4Wd

— New York Times Arts (@nytimesarts) August 13, 2024