Lucia Sisic, who was named Miss Austria 2024, has died at the age of just 22. According to foreign media reports, the young Austrian had lived all her life with a congenital heart condition and had undergone seven surgical procedures.
The announcement was made public by Mission Austria
News of her death was announced by Mission Austria, the organization that runs the Miss Austria and Mister Austria competitions, through a social media post.
In the published message, the organization expressed shock over the loss of the 22-year-old and offered condolences to her family, friends and loved ones. Lucia Sisic was still holding the Miss Austria 2024 crown, as the competition to choose her successor had not yet been held.
A long battle with a congenital heart condition
According to the BBC, Sisic had lived with heart problems since birth. She had undergone seven operations during her life.
Lucia herself had spoken publicly about her health condition and the challenges that had accompanied her for years, without hiding her long battle with the illness.
Her message to the doctors who treated her
In 2024, she published a message on Instagram thanking the pediatric medical team that had cared for her during childhood.
There, she praised the doctors and healthcare staff, writing that they had saved her life on several occasions and helped her through very difficult moments.
Her account of a different childhood
In an interview given to Austrian outlet Heute in 2024, Sisic said that she had undergone her first operation immediately after birth.
She also said that her health problems had affected her childhood, preventing her from taking part in some sporting activities. According to her statements, this made her childhood different from that of her peers, but also more formative for her character.
Mission Austria described the 22-year-old as a wonderful young woman and stressed that she will remain part of the history of this pageant.
Lucia Sisic’s untimely death has prompted strong emotional reactions in Austria, especially because of her publicly known history with heart disease.