Billionaire Richard Lugner, 91, dies two months after marrying sixth wife

Billionaire Richard Lugner has passed away at the age of 91, just two months after marrying his sixth wife, Simone Reiländer.

The Austrian entrepreneur died at his villa in Vienna on Monday, August 12. Reports indicate that emergency services were unable to revive Lugner after rushing to his home. Lugner had been experiencing health issues in recent months, including a hospital admission in July for a ruptured heart valve.

Known for his cultural contributions to Austrian society, Lugner frequently brought celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Pamela Anderson, and Goldie Hawn to the iconic Vienna Opera Balls. His passing prompted several tributes from notable figures who remembered his impact on both business and entertainment.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer posted a photo on social media of himself with Lugner and Priscilla Presley at a ball in February 2024. Nehammer’s heartfelt message described Lugner as a successful entrepreneur and a unique Austrian personality, expressing wishes for him to rest in peace.

Simone Reiländer, who became Lugner’s wife in June, shared a touching tribute on Instagram along with a colorful painting of her late husband. Her message expressed deep love and admiration, signaling the profound impact Lugner had on her life.

Lugner’s marriage history was notable, having been married six times. His first marriage to Christine Gmeiner lasted from 1961 to 1978, producing two sons, Alexander and Andreas. He then married Cornelia Laufersweiler for a brief four years before tying the knot with Susanne Dietrich in 1984.

After divorcing Dietrich in 1989, Lugner married Christina Lugner the following year. They had a daughter, Jacqueline, in 1993, but the marriage ended in 2007. From 2014 to 2016, Lugner was married to Playboy model Cathy Schmitz. Additionally, he had a daughter, Nadine, from a previous relationship with Sonja Jeannine.

Lugner gained significant recognition in 1990 with the construction of Lugner City, which became the seventh-largest shopping center in Austria at the time. Simone Reiländer planned to support her husband’s business ventures, particularly focusing on his Viennese shopping empire.

In a June interview, Lugner discussed his plans for Reiländer to take over his business operations. He envisioned her sharing his workload and eventually becoming the sole leader of his enterprise. Despite these plans, he expressed hope to continue being actively involved in his business for as long as possible.

As Reiländer transitioned into her new role, Lugner outlined her responsibilities, which included managing the company’s 80 employees, handling financial matters, and creating social media content with him. He confirmed her role as the new boss, indicating a shift in the company’s leadership dynamic.

While Reiländer’s role as CEO was solidified, other family members were also poised to contribute significantly to the business. Alexander, Lugner’s son, was in charge of construction issues, and his daughter Jacqueline managed the cinema operations. Thus, ensuring that the family business remained a collaborative effort.