Miss Austria Lucia Sisic dies aged 22

Lucia Sisic, who was crowned Miss Austria in 2024, has died aged 22, pageant organisers have announced.

Sisic had previously spoken publicly about having a congenital heart condition. The organisers confirmed her death in a statement but did not give a cause of death.

Tributes have been shared on social media by fellow pageant contestants, organisers and heart health charities, with many remembering Sisic for her warmth and kindness.

Mission Austria, which organises the Miss and Mister Austria pageants, said it had learned of her death with “great shock and deep sorrow”.

“We will remember Lucia as a wonderful young woman,” the organisation said in a statement. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, and all those close to her during this difficult time.”

Mission Austria CEO Kerstin Rigger and her husband, Jörg, said Sisic would “always remain a part of our Miss Austria family”.

Sisic was of Croatian and Bosnian heritage and lived in Austria. She had recently travelled to Croatia, sharing photographs from her visit on Instagram.

Christopher Dengg, who was crowned Mister Austria alongside Sisic in 2024, described her as “like a sister”, according to Austrian media.

“I am deeply shocked,” he said. “We will all miss her very much.”