Reigning Miss Austria beauty queen Lucia Sisic has died at the age of 22, after experiencing a lifelong heart condition.
Her death was confirmed by Mission Austria, sending waves of worry through the pageant world and beyond, not only because of her youth but because of the resilience she embodied throughout her life.
Mission Austria announced the news in tribute, “It is with great shock and deep sorrow that we have learned of the passing of the passing of our Miss Austria 2024, Lucia Sisic.”
Lucia’s rise began in January 2024 when she crowned Miss Vienna at Lugner City. Later that year, she achieved the coveted title Miss Austria 2024, securing her place as the country’s representative in the global pageant community.
Sisic opened about her health condition, sharing her status in 2024 in an Instagram post thanking her pediatric medical team who looked after her as a young person.
“Thanks to the medical staff and the dedicated doctors, who time and again saved my life through their tremendous efforts. I have overcome many difficult moments and been able to lead a fulfilling life,” Sisic wrote.
She remained Austria’s reigning queen until her passing, as no succeeding competitions were held in 2025 and 2026. Following her death, Austria announced it would withdraw from Miss Universe 2026, scheduled to take place in Puerto Rico.
Herzkinder Osterreich, a charity in Austria that supports children with heart conditions, also paid tribute to Sisic.
“Deeply saddened by the untimely death of Sisic, at just 22 years old, she left us far too soon,” Osterreich wrote.