A 91-year-old Austrian billionaire, Richard Lugner, has passed away just weeks after marrying his 42-year-old sixth wife, Simone.
Lugner died in his Viennese villa on Monday, Austrian media reported, with conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer on X hailing the “successful” construction magnate as a “vibrant… Austrian original” who stayed “true to himself”.
Nicknamed “Mr. Concrete,” Lugner was well-known for his celebrity companions and was often seen partying with high-profile friends.
The billionaire reportedly paid six-figure sums to stars like Kim Kardashian, Geri Halliwell, and Paris Hilton to accompany him to the Opera Ball.
Simone, who was 49 years younger than Lugner, penned a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, as reported by MailOnline. She described him as “the dream of her life.”
Along with the tribute, Simone shared a painting of Richard on Instagram, just a few posts after detailing her wedding dress. “And when I saw you shining, from the way I saw you shine, I knew I was yours too,” she wrote. “In love.”
In an interview with Kurier in April, just a few months before their June wedding, Simone remarked that “everything she wanted in a man was like Richard.”
A 91-year-old Austrian billionaire, Richard Lugner, has passed away just weeks after marrying his 42-year-old sixth wife, Simone.
Lugner died in his Viennese villa on Monday, Austrian media reported, with conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer on X hailing the “successful” construction magnate as a “vibrant… Austrian original” who stayed “true to himself”.
Nicknamed “Mr. Concrete,” Lugner was well-known for his celebrity companions and was often seen partying with high-profile friends
Former guests of Lugner include celebrities like Sophia Loren, Pamela Anderson, Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian.
He was previously married to Christine Gmeiner (1961-1978), Cornelia Laufersweiler (1979-1983), Susanne Dietrich (1984-1989), Christina Lugner (1990-2007), as well as Playboy model and actress Cathy Schmitz (2014-2016)
younger than Lugner, penned a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, as reported by MailOnline. She described him as “the dream of her life.”
Along with the tribute, Simone shared a painting of Richard on Instagram, just a few posts after detailing her wedding dress. “And when I saw you shining, from the way I saw you shine, I knew I was yours too,” she wrote. “In love.”
In an interview with Kurier in April, just a few months before their June wedding, Simone remarked that “everything she wanted in a man was like Richard.
“A successful man who represents something, who you can cling to, look up to, and learn from. Men like that are very rare at a younger age these days,” she said.
Born in Vienna on October 11, 1932, Lugner quickly made a name for himself in the construction business by focusing on small-scale projects amid the 1960s building boom, according to APA news agency.
In 1975, Lugner landed his first major coup, when he was commissioned to build the Vienna Islamic Centre, Austria’s first and biggest mosque.
More than a decade later, he built his eponymous “Lugner City” shopping centre.
The eccentric 91-year-old was an integral part of Vienna’s high society, with Lugner frequently dominating the headlines, including criticism he faced over his sexist comments.
A fan of the limelight, Lugner had been inviting the world’s celebrities to the famous Vienna Opera Ball since 1992, most recently bringing Priscilla Presley to the event.
Former guests of Lugner include celebrities like Sophia Loren, Pamela Anderson, Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian.
He was previously married to Christine Gmeiner (1961-1978), Cornelia Laufersweiler (1979-1983), Susanne Dietrich (1984-1989), Christina Lugner (1990-2007), as well as Playboy model and actress Cathy Schmitz (2014-2016)