Lucia Sisic, the reigning Miss Austria, has died unexpectedly at the age of 22, prompting tributes from family, friends and pageant organisers. The Vienna native had lived with a congenital heart valve condition and had undergone seven heart surgeries, though the exact cause of her death has not been disclosed.

Sisic was crowned Miss Austria in 2024 and remained the title holder at the time of her death. She had previously spoken openly about her health struggles, saying her "childhood was simply different, but it also made me strong," and had thanked the cardiology team who treated her throughout her life. Friends described her as a woman of "extraordinary beauty" whose "smile, kindness, and warmth touched the hearts of those who knew her," while Miss Austria organisers said she would be remembered as "a wonderful young woman" and would always remain part of the pageant's family.