The reigning Miss Austria, Lucia Sisic, has died unexpectedly at the age of 22 following a lifelong battle with a heart condition.
The Viennese beauty queen was born with a heart valve defect and had spoken openly about her medical struggles.
After her final operation in winter 2025, she wrote on Instagram: “I have now … got my seventh procedure behind me and I am overjoyed that I can now officially – hopefully for a few years – have a break.”
Her sudden death was announced by grief-stricken loved ones, who said that she had been taken far too soon.
Throughout her life, Ms Sisic had seven heart surgeries, including one at age 13 where she had to be resuscitated in what she described as a “touch and go” ordeal.
Speaking in 2024, she said: “My childhood was simply different, but that also made me strong.”
She said that she did not want pity, instead hoped to give other people courage.
Lucia was crowned Miss Austria in 2024 and remained the reigning titleholder because no subsequent contest was staged.
Around three weeks before her death, she had shared holiday pictures from Bosnia and Herzegovina, where her parents have roots in the Bosanska Posavina region.
Tributes have now poured in for the 22-year-old.
Family friend Miroslav Piplica wrote: “Our Lucia has gone, much too soon and forever.
“But the memory of you will stay with us forever.
“Rest in God’s peace, our dear angel.”
Mister Austria Christopher Dengg said: “I am deeply shocked.
“She was like a sister to me, especially in the time when we held office together.
“She will be greatly missed by all of us.”
Mission Austria, which runs the Miss Austria contest, said it had learned of her death with deep sorrow.
A spokesperson said in a statement: “Lucia will remain in our memory as a wonderful young woman.
“You will always be part of our Miss Austria family. Rest in peace.”
The Croatian cultural community in Austria also paid tribute to Lucia, using the spelling Lucija Šišić.
She was described as a source of pride to both her parents and the Croatian community.
The exact cause of Ms Sisic’s death has not been made public, and no funeral details have yet been released.
In 2015, another Miss Austria winner, Ena Kadic, died after falling off a mountain during a run.