Getty ImagesReigning Miss Austria beauty queen Lucia Sisic has died at the age of 22, having experienced a lifelong heart condition.
Mission Austria, which runs the Miss Austria and Mister Austria beauty pageants, announced the news in a tribute on its Facebook page on Monday, saying: “It is with great shock and deep sorrow that we have learned of the passing of our Miss Austria 2024, Lucia Sisic.”
No cause of death has yet been confirmed.
Sisic was crowned Miss Austria in 2024 and remained the reigning titleholder as no subsequent contest has yet been staged.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, and all those close to her during this difficult time.”
The message, signed by Mission Austria CEO Kerstin Rigger and her husband Jörg, added Sisic “will always remain a part of our Miss Austria family”.
As a public figure, Sisic had spoken openly about her health condition. In 2024, she shared a post on Instagram thanking her paediatric medical team who looked after her as a young person.
“Thanks to the medical staff and the dedicated doctors – who time and again saved my life through their tremendous efforts – I have overcome many difficult moments and been able to lead a fulfilling life,” she wrote at the time.
Getty ImagesSpeaking to Austrian outlet Heute in 2024, the Miss Austria winner said her first operation was right after her birth.
She also spoke of how her health impacted her childhood.
“Sports weeks took place without me. My childhood was simply different, but it also made me strong,” she said.
Herzkinder Österreich, a charity in Austria which supports children with heart conditions, also paid tribute to Sisic.
In a Facebook post, the organisation said it is “deeply saddened by the untimely death” of Sisic, adding “at just 22 years old, she left us far too soon”.
The tribute says: “Lucia herself was a true child at heart. A young woman who knew what it meant to grow up with a congenital heart defect, to endure surgeries, and still to pursue her own path with courage and joy.
“We will remember her as a warm-hearted, joyful, and impressive young woman – and as an adult child who wanted to give courage to others affected.”
