Richard Lugner, a prominent Austrian billionaire construction magnate and socialite, has passed away at the age of 91. Lugner, who had been battling several health issues in recent months, underwent heart surgery earlier this year. He died peacefully in his Viennese villa on Monday, according to local media reports. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer paid tribute to Lugner on X (formerly known as Twitter), calling him a “vibrant… Austrian original” and a “successful” figure who remained “true to himself.”
Lugner was born in Vienna on October 11, 1932, and rose to prominence by building the iconic “Lugner City” shopping center in the Austrian capital. He was a well-known figure in Vienna’s high society, often making headlines for his lavish lifestyle and controversial remarks.
Over the years, Lugner gained international fame for hosting global celebrities at Vienna’s prestigious Opera Ball. Among the stars he invited were Kim Kardashian, Sophia Loren, Jane Fonda, Pamela Anderson, and Goldie Hawn. In 2014, he made headlines when he paid $500,000 to have Kim Kardashian accompany him to the event. “Kim is annoying me because she’s not sticking to the program,” Lugner had remarked at the time. He also paid Lindsay Lohan $150,000 to be his date for the 2010 Opera Ball. His most recent guest was Priscilla Presley, ex-wife of Elvis Presley.
Lugner was not only a billionaire but also had a brief foray into politics. In the late 1990s, he ran for the Austrian presidency, securing nearly 10 percent of the vote in 1998. He made a second attempt in 2016, but this time, he finished last with just over two percent of the vote.
On a personal front, Lugner was married six times. His most recent marriage took place just two months ago, when he wed 42-year-old Simone Reilander on June 1. At the time, Lugner declared, “It will be the last marriage,” as reported by PEOPLE, quoting a local media outlet.
Following his death, the Lugner City shopping center paid tribute to its founder, honoring his legacy and his contributions to Vienna’s business and social landscape. Despite the controversies and criticisms that often surrounded him, Richard Lugner remained an enduring figure in Austrian high society, leaving behind four children and a lasting impact on Vienna’s cultural scene.