Billionaire Richard Lugner has died at the age of 91.
The Austrian businessman, who had recently tied the knot, sadly passed away on Monday (12 August) at his villa in Vienna, Agence France Presse reported.
Lugner was born in Vienna in 1932 and, after graduating from the Federal Technical and Commercial College, he went on to specialise in building construction.
Advert
In 1975, he built the first and biggest mosque, Vienna Islamic Centre, and 10 years later constructed the Lugner City shopping centre.
He was also known for bringing some of the world's biggest celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Pamela Anderson - and more recently, Priscilla Presley - to the Vienna Opera Ball.
Other guests included the likes of Sophia Loren, Paris Hilton, Jane Fonda, Geri Halliwell and Joan Collins.
Lugner, who has four children, had reportedly been suffering with a number of health problems recently and had also undergone surgery.
The entrepreneur was recently married, tying the knot to his sixth wife, Simone Reiländer, 42, in Vienna a couple of months ago.
The pair had been dating since 2021.
According to the MailOnline, Simone shared an image of a painting of Lugner on Instagram, adding the caption: "And when I saw you shining, from the way I saw you shine, I knew was yours too. In love."
Since the news was announced, tributes have been pouring in for Lugner.
The Lugner City shopping centre wrote on social media: "Our Engineer Richard Lugner, our mortar and above all our beloved boss has unfortunately left us today.
"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!"
Meanwhile, Vienna chancellor, Karl Nehammer, wrote 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!"
One fan added: "[translated] He was a great person, I got to meet him personally in Lugner City, he was always smiling, always had a taste in store, he will be greatly missed, he accomplished a lot of things many can only dream of!"
And a third wrote: "[translated] Just went to dinner with friends yesterday and this morning I received this shocking news - I cried.
"Thank you Richard Lugner for your openness and dedication as an entrepreneur."
Topics: News, World News
Lucy Devine