Billionaire Richard Lugner has died at the age of 91 after suffering several health issues.
The construction tycoon and socialite, who made headlines for bringing the world’s VIPs to Vienna’s famous Opera Ball, passed away in his Viennese villa on Monday, Austrian media reported.
Just two months ago, Lugner married his sixth wife, 42-year-old actress Simone Reilaender, who is 49 years his junior.
He was known for building the Lugner City mall in Vienna in the 1990s – and was also notorious for the celebrity friends he was often seen partying with.
Lugner reportedly paid significant sums to stars like Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton to be his dates at the Opera Ball.
Billionaire and construction tycoon Richard Lugner (pictured in 2018) has died at the age of 91
Lugner had married just two months ago to Simone Reilaender, who is 49 years his junior (pictured: Lugner and Reilaender’s wedding in June)
Lugner had four children: Alexander and Andreas Lugner, from his first marriage with Christina Gmeiner from 1961 to 1978, and Nadine Jeannine Cutter from his relationship with actress Sonja Jeannine and Jacqueline Lugner, from his fourth marriage to Christina Lugner.
Conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer on X hailed the ‘successful’ construction magnate as a ‘vibrant… Austrian original’ who stayed ‘true to himself’.
Born in Vienna on October 11, 1932, Lugner quickly made a name for himself in the construction business by focusing on small-scale projects amid the 1960s building boom, according to APA news agency.
In 1975, Lugner landed his first major coup, when he was commissioned to build the Vienna Islamic Centre, Austria’s first and biggest mosque.
More than a decade later, he built his eponymous ‘Lugner City’ shopping centre.
The eccentric 91-year-old was an integral part of Vienna’s high society, with Lugner frequently dominating the headlines, including criticism he faced over his sexist comments.
A fan of the limelight, Lugner had been inviting the world’s celebrities to the famous Vienna Opera Ball since 1992, most recently bringing Priscilla Presley to the event.
Former guests of Lugner include celebrities like Sophia Loren, Pamela Anderson, Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian.
While the amount the tycoon paid his guests of honour has remained a closely guarded secret, he seized on the opportunity to promote his brand.
Lugner has been married six times, with the ups and downs of his turbulent love life being regularly reported on as he was keen to open up about it.
During the late 1990s, Lugner first dabbled in politics, winning almost 10 percent of the presidential vote in 1998.
In 2016, he ran for president for a second time, but finished last, securing just over two percent.
Last month Lugner was treated for a ruptured heart valve at the Vienna General Hospital and was reportedly suffering several health problems recently.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.