Richard Lugner (1932-2024) Find a Grave Memorial
Richard Lugner (1932-2024) Find a Grave Memorial, Richard Lugner Was an Austrian businessman, Richard Lugner Find a Grave, Richard Lugner Death and Burial Details.
Richard Siegfried “Mörtel” Lugner, born October 11, 1932, was a prominent Austrian businessman, political figure, and socialite.
Known for his groundbreaking work in construction, including the renovation of Vienna’s Stadttempel and the development of Lugner City, Lugner also made headlines with his annual Vienna Opera Ball celebrity guests.
Richard Lugner
Full Name | Richard Siegfried “Mörtel” Lugner |
---|---|
Birth | 11 October 1932, Vienna, Austria |
Death | 12 August 2024 (aged 91) Vienna, Austria |
Cause of Death | Leaky Heart Valve |
Spouse | Christine Gmeiner (m. 1961; div. 1978) Cornelia Laufersweiler (m. 1979; div. 1983) Susanne Dietrich (m. 1984; div. 1989) Christina Lugner (m. 1990; div. 2007) Cathy Schmitz (m. 2014; div. 2016) Simone Reiländer (m. 2024) |
Children | Jacqueline Lugner, Nadine Jeannine Cutter, Andreas Lugner, Alexander Lugner |
Occupations | Businessman and politician |
Education | HTL Wien West (1953) |
Nationality | American |
Burial |
Friedhof Grinzing
Grinzing, Wien Stadt, Vienna, Austria
|
His political aspirations saw him run for president and the Nationalrat, while his media appearances and controversies kept him in the public eye.
Despite facing health challenges, including cancer and heart surgery, Lugner remained a notable figure until his death on August 12, 2024. His impact on Austrian business and culture endures through his diverse and often controversial legacy.
Austrian Billionaire Richard Lugner Dies at 91
Austrian billionaire Richard Lugner, renowned for hosting global celebrities at his annual Vienna Opera Ball, has passed away at the age of 91. Lugner, a prominent entrepreneur and socialite, was known for his larger-than-life persona and his high-profile events.
Richard Lugner’s Legacy and Notable Guests
Lugner, who recently married for the sixth time, was celebrated for his extravagant hosting of celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Sophia Loren, Jane Fonda, Pamela Anderson, and Goldie Hawn. His annual Vienna Opera Ball became a high-profile event that drew significant attention on the international stage.
Billionaire’s Infamous $500,000 Date with Kim Kardashian
In a notable event from 2014, Lugner paid $500,000 to have Kim Kardashian attend his Vienna Opera Ball as his date. Despite the hefty sum, Lugner reportedly found Kardashian’s behavior less than ideal, stating, “Kim is annoying me, because she’s not sticking to the program.” This extravagant gesture was part of Lugner’s tradition of bringing high-profile guests to his events.
Richard Lugner Death
Death Details: Richard Lugner passed away on August 12, 2024, at the age of 91. His legacy encompasses significant contributions to construction, retail, and Austrian society.
Richard Lugner Cause of Death
Cause of Death: In July 2024, he had to undergo an emergency operation because of a leaky heart valve.
Richard Lugner Find a Grave
Burial Details: Friedhof Grinzing, Grinzing, Wien Stadt, Vienna, Austria
Richard Siegfried “Mörtel” Lugner: A Comprehensive Overview
Early Life and Family
- Birth and Background: Born on October 11, 1932, in Vienna, Richard Lugner was the son of lawyer Richard Lugner Sr. and Leopoldine. His father went missing in 1943 during WWII.
- Education: Lugner completed his schooling and graduated from the Federal Technical and Commercial College in 1953, specializing in building construction.
Business Career
- Early Professional Experience: Worked with a Viennese construction company and later Mobil Oil Austria.
- Construction Ventures: Acquired a building contractor license in 1962. Notable projects include Vienna’s first mosque, the Vienna Islamic Centre (1979), and the renovation of the Stadttempel (1988).
- Lugner City: Opened in 1990, Lugner City became one of Austria’s largest shopping centers. Known for aggressive marketing and advocating extended shopping hours.
Vienna Opera Ball
- Annual Guests: From 1992, Lugner brought various celebrities to the Vienna Opera Ball, including Harry Belafonte, Sophia Loren, and Kim Kardashian.
- Recent Guests: Jane Fonda (2023) and Priscilla Presley (2024).
Political Ambitions
- 1998 Presidential Election: Finished fourth with 9.91% of the vote.
- 2000 Parliamentary Elections: His platform, Die Unabhängigen, received 1.02% of the vote.
- 2016 Presidential Election: Received 2.26% of the vote.
Media Appearances
- Reality TV: “Die Lugners” (2003) showed his family life.
- Other Shows: Appeared in “Wir sind Kaiser” (2007) and “Lugner und Cathy – Der Millionär und das Bunny” (2016).
Controversies
- Abortion Debate: Faced criticism for renting space to a sexual medicine center in 2007.
- Scientology: Criticized for making property available to the Church of Scientology.
- Ukraine Conflict: Made controversial remarks about FPÖ party leader Herbert Kickl in 2022.
Personal Life
- Marriages and Children: Married five times, with four children from different relationships. Notable marriages include with Christine Gmeiner, Sonja Jeannine, Christina Lugner, Cathy Schmitz, and Simone Reiländer.
- Health: Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016, treated for skin cancer, and underwent heart surgery in 2024.
Awards and Honors
- 1987: Awarded the professional title of “Technischer Rat.”
- 1992: Silver Medal of Honor for Services to the State of Vienna.
- 2024: Honorary member of the Villach Carnival Guild.
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Richard Lugner (1932-2024) Find a Grave Memorial
FAQs about Richard Lugner
Who was Richard Lugner?
Richard Siegfried “Mörtel” Lugner was an Austrian businessman, political figure, and socialite known for his significant contributions to construction and his extravagant annual Vienna Opera Ball events.
When was Richard Lugner born and when did he pass away?
Richard Lugner was born on October 11, 1932, in Vienna, Austria, and passed away on August 12, 2024, at the age of 91.
What was the cause of Richard Lugner’s death?
Richard Lugner died due to complications from a leaky heart valve, which required emergency surgery in July 2024.
Where is Richard Lugner buried?
Richard Lugner is buried at Friedhof Grinzing in Vienna, Austria.
What are some of Richard Lugner’s notable achievements?
Richard Lugner was known for his work in construction, including the renovation of Vienna’s Stadttempel and the development of Lugner City. He also gained fame for his annual Vienna Opera Ball, where he hosted various international celebrities.
Who were some of the celebrities Richard Lugner hosted at the Vienna Opera Ball?
Over the years, Richard Lugner hosted celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Sophia Loren, Jane Fonda, Pamela Anderson, and Goldie Hawn at his Vienna Opera Ball.
What were Richard Lugner’s political ambitions?
Richard Lugner ran for president in 1998 and for the Nationalrat (parliament) in 2000 and 2016. He was known for his independent political platform, Die Unabhängigen.
What controversies surrounded Richard Lugner?
Richard Lugner faced several controversies, including criticism for his rental of space to a sexual medicine center, connections with the Church of Scientology, and controversial remarks about political figures.
What health challenges did Richard Lugner face?
Richard Lugner dealt with various health issues including prostate cancer, skin cancer, and underwent heart surgery for a leaky heart valve in 2024.
What awards and honors did Richard Lugner receive?
Richard Lugner was awarded the professional title of “Technischer Rat” in 1987, the Silver Medal of Honor for Services to the State of Vienna in 1992, and was named an honorary member of the Villach Carnival Guild in 2024.