The Austrian beauty pageant community is mourning the unexpected passing of 22-year-old Lucia Sisic, the current reigning Miss Austria 2024, who lived with a chronic congenital heart condition her entire life.
The organization that oversees the Miss Austria and Mister Austria competitions, Mission Austria, shared the devastating news in a heartfelt public tribute posted to its official Facebook page on Monday. Translated from the original German statement, the post read: “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.” Signed by Mission Austria CEO Kerstin Rigger and her husband Jörg, the tribute emphasized that Sisic “will always remain a part of our Miss Austria family.” As of the announcement, no official cause of death has been formally confirmed by authorities.
Sisic earned her Miss Austria crown in 2024, and has retained the title as no subsequent national pageant has been held to crown a successor. Unlike many public figures who choose to hide personal health struggles, Sisic spoke openly about her lifelong journey with heart disease, using her platform to inspire others facing similar medical challenges.
Over the course of her life, Sisic underwent seven separate surgical procedures to treat her condition, with her very first operation taking place just moments after she was born. In a 2024 interview with Austrian local publication Heute, she reflected on how her health shaped her early years: “Sports weeks took place without me. My childhood was simply different, but it also made me strong.” Later that year, she shared a public post on Instagram expressing gratitude to the pediatric medical team that cared for her from childhood, writing, “Thanks to the medical staff and the dedicated doctors – who time and again saved my life through their tremendous efforts – I have overcome many difficult moments and been able to lead a fulfilling life.”
Herzkinder Österreich, an Austrian non-profit dedicated to supporting children born with heart conditions, also released a tribute to Sisic following the announcement of her passing. The organization described itself as “deeply saddened by the untimely death” of the young titleholder, noting that “at just 22 years old, she left us far too soon.” In its Facebook post, the charity highlighted Sisic’s unique perspective and courageous spirit: “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. We will remember her as a warm-hearted, joyful, and impressive young woman – and as an adult child who wanted to give courage to others affected.”
Tributes from across Austria have continued to pour in for Sisic, who is remembered for her resilience, warmth, and commitment to lifting up others navigating chronic childhood health conditions.