Austrian construction tycoon Richard Lugner died yesterday (August 12)
Austrian billionaire Richard Lugner has died.
Lugner was found in his home yesterday (August 12) in Vienna.
He’s believed to have been dealing with multiple health issues before his death and had undergone surgery in the months prior.
He’d also tied the knot for the sixth time in the months leading up to his passing. Lugner wed Simone Reiländer, 42, at Vienna City Hall on June 1.
Richard Lugner, seen with his wife Simone Reiländer, has died. (Manfred Schmid/Getty Images)
Born in Vienna in 1932, Lugner had a general school education before going on to graduate from the Federal Technical and Commercial College, where he specialized in building construction.
He started his career working for a construction company in Austria’s capital before going on to get his license as a building contractor and creating his own business.
Lugner’s company went on to become famous for building Vienna’s first mosque and later the Stadttempel, the city’s main synagogue.
The late 91-year-old proceeded to construct his own shopping mall named Lugner City – something which became a huge part of his legacy.
Upon its opening in 1990, Lugner invited American singer Harry Belafonte to the shopping mall and went on to take him to the Vienna Opera Ball.
Kim Kardashian, Richard Lugner and Kris Jenner attended the 2014 Vienna Opera Ball together. (Gisela Schober/Getty Images)
From then onwards, Lugner invited a well-known celebrity each year to come visit Lugner City and then took them as his guest to the Ball afterwards.
Some celebrities he’s invited to Vienna over the years include Goldie Hawn, Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner, Raquel Welch, Jane Fonda and Priscilla Presley.
Tributes have been rolling in for Lugner in the wake of his death, with the Lugner City shopping center leading the posts on social media.
“Our Engineer Richard Lugner, our mortar and above all our beloved boss has unfortunately left us today,” a post shared on Facebook yesterday read.
“We can hardly put into words the pain we feel. The grief is indescribably great, but we want to reflect on all the beautiful and great times together. With a laughing and a crying eye we say goodbye to the great Richard Lugner, in our hearts he will stay forever!”
Goldie Hawn is one of the many celebrities that were invited to Lugner City as the billionaire’s special guest. (Michael Gruber/Getty Images)
The country’s chancellor, Karl Nehammer, also penned on X: “Richard Lugner was a successful entrepreneur and a dazzling personality. An Austrian original who never lost his way. May he rest in peace!”
Another person wrote: “Richard #Lugner was a genuine, original and cheerful personality. His commitment to the #WienerOpernball and his refreshing unconventionality will never be forgotten.”
Lugner is survived by his four children: Jacqueline, Nadine, Alexander, and Andreas.
Featured Image Credit: Gisela Schober/Getty Images/Manfred Schmid/Getty Images
