Reigning Miss Austria Lucia Sisic has died at age 22, the Mission Austria organization announced Monday.
Sisic, who was crowned in 2024 and held the title through this year because no subsequent competition had been held, passed away suddenly, according to the organization that runs the Miss and Mister Austria pageants. The official cause of death has not been disclosed, though the beauty queen had been public about lifelong health battles stemming from a congenital heart valve defect.
“It is with great shock and deep sadness that we have learned of the passing of our Miss Austria 2024, Lucia Sisic,” the organization wrote in a social media post. “Lucia will be remembered as a wonderful young woman. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to her family, friends, and all those close to her during this difficult time.”
The tribute was signed by Mission Austria CEO Kerstin Rigger and her husband Jörg. Sisic had undergone seven surgeries throughout her life due to her heart condition, according to reports. Despite these challenges, she maintained an active presence and expressed gratitude for her medical care.
In an August 2024 Instagram post, Sisic directly thanked the pediatric cardiology specialists who had treated her. “Thanks to the specialists and the dedicated doctors, who have always saved my life with great efforts, I have overcome many difficult moments and have been able to live a fulfilling life,” she wrote.
Christopher Dengg, who held the Mister Austria 2024 title alongside Sisic, told local outlet Oe24 that he was “deeply shocked” by her sudden passing. “She was like a sister to me, especially during the time we held the [title] together,” Dengg said. “We will all miss her very much.”
The pair had shared their reign without a 2025 competition being held, extending their tenure beyond the typical cycle. Sisic’s openness about her medical journey had made her a distinctive figure in the pageant world, where she balanced public duties with repeated surgical interventions.
Her death has prompted an outpouring of grief from pageant colleagues and observers, with multiple outlets noting the particular poignancy of her final social media message of thanks to her doctors. The Mission Austria organization did not provide details on memorial arrangements.