Reigning Miss Austria Lucia Sisic has died at the age of 22 after living with a congenital heart condition throughout her life.
Mission Austria, the organisation behind the Miss Austria and Mister Austria beauty pageants, announced her death on Monday, describing the news as a moment of “great shock and deep sorrow”. The cause of her death has not been confirmed.
Sisic was crowned Miss Austria in 2024 and remained the reigning titleholder because no subsequent contest has yet been held.
In a tribute, Mission Austria described Sisic as a “wonderful young woman” and extended its condolences to her family, friends and others who knew her.
Sisic had previously spoken publicly about her heart condition and the medical treatment she underwent throughout her life. She revealed that she had undergone seven operations, with her first surgery taking place shortly after she was born.
In 2024, she expressed gratitude to the doctors and medical staff who treated her as a child, crediting them with helping her through some of the most difficult periods of her life.
Her condition also affected her childhood. Sisic recalled being unable to take part in activities such as school sports weeks because of her health.
Despite these challenges, she pursued her ambitions and went on to win the Miss Austria crown in 2024.
Herzkinder Osterreich, an Austrian organisation that supports children living with heart conditions, also paid tribute to Sisic following her death.
The organisation described her death as untimely, saying she had left the world “far too soon” at just 22. It remembered her as a warm-hearted and joyful young woman who had shown courage while living with a congenital heart condition.
Mission Austria said Sisic would remain a part of the Miss Austria family and expressed its sympathy to all those mourning her loss.
