Lucia Sisic, who held the title of Miss Austria 2024, has died at the age of 22. While her exact cause of death has not been specified, Sisic was born with a congenital heart valve malformation and had undergone seven surgeries throughout her life, with her final procedure taking place in late 2025.
The Bottom Line
- Medical History: Sisic was born with a cardiac malformation and openly documented her journey through seven heart operations, including a complex 2017 procedure and a final surgery in late 2025.
- Industry Impact: Because pageants had not been held since her 2024 coronation, Sisic was the reigning titleholder at the time of her passing, leaving the national organization and the wider community stunned.
A Reign Defined by Grace and Resilience
The European modeling community is in mourning following the death of Lucia Sisic. Crowned Miss Austria in 2024 after previously capturing the Miss Vienna title at Lugner City in January of that same year, Sisic retained her national crown as subsequent annual competitions were put on hold.
Mission Austria, the organization overseeing the national competition, confirmed the tragic news in a statement signed by director Kerstin Rigger and her husband Jörg. “Es con gran conmoción y profundo pesar que nos enteramos del fallecimiento de nuestra Miss Austria 2024, Lucia Sisic,” the organization shared on Instagram, honoring her memory as a wonderful young woman whose warmth left an indelible mark on everyone she met.
Navigating a Lifelong Medical Battle
Behind the glamour of the pageant stage, Sisic lived a life intimately shaped by complex medical challenges. Born with a congenital heart valve malformation, she endured seven surgeries. Her childhood was markedly different from her peers, noting in interviews that standard athletic weeks and sports events passed without her.
Her medical hurdles reached a critical juncture in 2017 during her most complex operation, which required resuscitation and forced her to relearn how to walk due to nerve damage. Yet, Sisic frequently used her platform to promote transparency regarding her health. In 2024, she shared photos highlighting her surgical scars with the caption, “Sal, sol y nada que ocultar.”
Following a successful procedure in August 2024, she expressed deep gratitude to her medical team: “Gracias a los especialistas y médicos dedicados que me salvaron la vida repetidamente con sus increíbles esfuerzos, he superado muchos momentos difíciles y he podido llevar una vida plena.” Her seventh and final operation took place in the winter of 2025, after which she expressed relief at finally taking an extended break from hospital visits.
Timeline of Major Milestones and Medical Interventions
| Date / Period | Milestone or Event |
|---|---|
| January 2024 | Crown Miss Vienna at Lugner City. |
| 2024 | Captured the official Miss Austria title, retaining it as subsequent ceremonies were paused. |
| August 2024 | Underwent a successful heart operation and publicly thanked her medical specialists. |
| Winter 2025 | Underwent her seventh and final heart surgery, expressing hope for a long recovery period. |
| September 2026 | Passed away at the age of 22, prompting widespread tributes from the fashion and modeling industry. |
Tributes from Across the European Pageant Community
As news of her passing circulated, colleagues, titleholders, and family friends shared heartfelt remembrances. Christopher Dengg, who served alongside Sisic as Míster Austria 2024, spoke candidly with Vienna-based outlet Oe24 about the bond they shared. “Era como una hermana para mí, especialmente durante el tiempo que mantuvimos el título juntos,” Dengg reflected.
Beatrice Turin, Miss Europa, also voiced her disbelief on social media, writing that Sisic would forever remain in their hearts. Family friend Miroslav Piplica echoed these sentiments, highlighting her extraordinary beauty, boundless kindness, and the profound pride she brought to her community. As tributes continue to pour in, Lucia Sisic is remembered not only for her striking presence on the runway, but for the profound courage and tenacity with which she navigated every challenge thrown her way.
