Miss Austria 2024 Lucia Sisic has died unexpectedly at the age of 22, after a lifetime of health struggles that included seven heart procedures.
Sisic, from Vienna, was born with a heart valve defect and had spoken openly about her condition. Her most recent procedure took place in winter 2025, after which she expressed hope for a break from further treatment.
Writing on Instagram at the time, she said: "I have now also got my seventh procedure behind me and I am overjoyed that I can now officially – hopefully for a few years – have a break."
A childhood shaped by illness
Sisic had previously revealed that she was revived during one procedure at the age of 13, describing the experience as "touch and go". Her condition also affected her early years, causing her to miss activities other children enjoyed.
In a 2024 interview, she said: "Sports weeks happened without me. My childhood was simply different, but that also made me strong." She had also said she did not want people's pity and hoped sharing her health struggles could give others courage.
Tributes from family and colleagues
Around three weeks before her death, Sisic shared holiday pictures from Bosnia and Herzegovina, where her parents have roots in the Bosanska Posavina region.
Tributes have since poured in. Family friend Miroslav Piplica wrote: "Our Lucia has gone, much too soon and forever. But the memory of you will stay with us forever. May God take you into his kingdom and give your parents and family the strength to bear this immeasurable pain. Rest in God's peace, our dear angel."
Mister Austria Christopher Dengg said: "I am deeply shocked. She was like a sister to me, especially in the time when we held office together. She will be greatly missed by all of us."
Organisers and community mourn
Mission Austria, which runs the Miss Austria contest, said it had learned of Sisic's death with "deep sorrow". A spokesperson said: "Lucia will remain in our memory as a wonderful young woman. You will always be part of our Miss Austria family. Rest in peace."
The Croatian cultural community in Austria also paid tribute, describing her as a source of pride to her parents and the wider Croatian community.
The circumstances surrounding Sisic's death have not been disclosed, and no funeral details have yet been released.
