Lucia Sisic, the reigning Miss Austria who publicly spoke about a congenital heart condition, has died at age 22, pageant organizers announced this week. The organization confirmed Sisic's death in a statement but did not disclose a cause. Tributes from fellow pageant contestants, organizers and heart health charities have poured in on social media following news of Sisic's death, many of them emphasizing her warmth and kindness.
Newsweek has reached out to Mission Austria, which runs Mister and Miss Austria organization, for comment via email on Wednesday. Sisic lived in Austria and had Croatian and Bosnian heritage. Miroslav Piplica, a family friend and head of the Croatian community association, wrote in Croatian in his Facebook tribute to Sisic that "she was the pride of her parents, originating from Posavina, and the whole Croatian community in Austria." Sisic recently travelled to Split, Croatia, posting photos on her Instagram from the trip this summer.
On Monday, Mission Austria posted a tribute to Sisic on its Facebook page, writing in German: "It is with great shock and deep sorrow that we have learned of the passing of our Miss Austria 2024, Lucia Sisic. "We will remember Lucia as a wonderful young woman. 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, signed the post, writing that Sisic "will always remain a part of our Miss Austria family." Mister Austria Christopher Dengg, who was also crowned in 2024 alongside Sisic, told local outlet Oe24: “I am deeply shocked.
She was like a sister to me, especially during the time we held the [title] together. We will all miss her very much.” Austrian charity Herzkinder Österreich, which supports children with heart conditions, addressed the loss in a Wednesday Facebook post, saying in German that “she left us far too soon.” The tribute noted her heart condition: “Lucia herself was a true child at heart. A young woman who knew what it meant to grow up with a congenital heart defect, to endure surgeries, and still to pursue her own path with courage and joy.” After winning Miss Austria in 2024, Sisic continued to hold the title because no national competition has been held in the following two years, according to local reports.
Sisic publicly spoke and posted about her heart valve defect. She had undergone seven heart surgeries since childhood, including her most recent operation last winter, according to local outlet Die Presse. In a 2024 Instagram post, she thanked her pediatric cardiology team, writing in German: “Thanks to the specialists and dedicated doctors who—through their immense efforts—have repeatedly saved my life, I have overcome many difficult moments and been able to lead a fulfilling life.
She wrote in German: “As an adult heart patient, I had the opportunity to get to know the many parents, children and the whole system behind it.” Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Kate Nalepinski and Dave Siminoff.
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