Miss Austria beauty queen dies suddenly aged 22 as tributes paid to ‘dear angel’

A REIGNING beauty queen has tragically died at 22 after undergoing seven heart operations during her life. Miss Austria Lucia Sisic, has sadly died just months after undergoing a heart operation. The beauty queen tragically died at just 22-years-old Credit: JamPress Lucia was very open about her health struggles Credit: JamPress Her exact cause of death remains unknown but she had a lifetime of health struggles. Lucia, from Vienna, was born with a heart valve defect and had spoken openly about her medical issues. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Her sudden death has left loved ones “devastated” as they said she had “gone far too soon.” Just three weeks before her death, Lucia shared holiday pictures from Bosnia and Herzegovina, her parents’ home country. Mister Austria, Christopher Dengg, said he was shocked and will miss her greatly. Dengg added: “She was like a sister to me, especially in the time when we held office together.” Lucia had her final operation in late 2025 and was hopefully looking forward to a break from surgeries. At the time, she shared on Instagram: “I have now also got my seventh procedure behind me and I am overjoyed that I can now officially – hopefully for a few years – have a break.” Most read in The Sun Lucia was loved by the Croatian community of Vienna Credit: JamPress She was the reigning Miss Austria since 2024 Credit: JamPress Since childhood, the beauty queen has had seven painstaking heart operations. This included a distressing “touch and go” surgery where she had to be revived. However, Lucia always insisted that she did not want pity, instead wanting to inspire others with her story. In a 2024 interview, she said “[my] childhood was simply different, but that also made me strong.” She added: “Sports weeks happened without me.” Her family and friends are now mourning her premature death. Miroslav Piplica, a family friend, wrote in a tribute: “Our Lucia has gone, much too soon and forever. “But the memory of you will stay with us forever. “May God take you into his kingdom and give your parents and family the strength to bear this immeasurable pain. “Rest in God’s peace, our dear angel.” The Croatian community in Austria have also been hit hard by Lucia’s tragic death. They paid tribute, described her as “a source of pride” to both her parents and the Croatian community. Lucia has been the reigning Miss Austria since 2024, the last time the contest was held. Mission Austria, who run the Miss Austria contest, said it had learned of her death with “deep sorrow”. A spokesperson said: “Lucia will remain in our memory as a wonderful young woman. “You will always be part of our Miss Austria family. “Rest in peace.” Comment now