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Lugner (left) with painter Johann Gassenhuber

Key Information

Richard Siegfried "Mörtel" Lugner[4] (11 October 1932 – 12 August 2024) was an Austrian businessman in the construction industry, a Viennese society figure, and an independent politician.[5][6][7]

He was known for constructing Vienna’s first mosque and renovating the city’s main synagogue. He also opened Lugner City, a prominent shopping mall, and became famous for inviting celebrities to the Vienna Opera Ball.

Early life and family

[edit]

Richard Lugner was born in Vienna, the son of lawyer Richard Lugner Sr. and his wife Leopoldine.[8] His father went missing in 1943 after becoming a prisoner of war in Russia during World War II.[9]

After completing his general school education, Lugner graduated from the Federal Technical and Commercial College specializing in building construction in 1953.[10]

Business career

[edit]

Lugner spent the first few years of his professional career working for a Viennese construction company and then moved to the construction department of the mineral oil company Mobil Oil Austria.[11] Lugner got a licence to work as a building contractor (Baumeisterkonzession) in 1962 and at first specialized in the building of filling stations and the renovation of old buildings. His company started to prosper, and he eventually became known to a wider public with the 1979 completion of Vienna's first mosque, the Vienna Islamic Centre, situated on the banks of the river Danube.[8] While the majority of his competition at this time was striving for the numerous large contracts of the reconstruction period and economic expansion, Lugner was able to assert himself with his company with relatively small contracts. He also became known for the 1988 renovation of the Stadttempel, Vienna's main synagogue.[11] From 1997, Lugner gradually withdrew from the operative construction business and handed over the management of the construction company, which remained 100% owned by him, to his sons.[12]

Lugner City

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In 1990, Lugner opened his own shopping mall, Lugner City, the seventh largest shopping center in Austria at the time. Lugner City was opened in a working class district of Vienna, and from the start Lugner aggressively advertised his business by regularly inviting celebrities—starting with Thomas Gottschalk—who would perform there and sign autographs, a marketing strategy not very common in a city that back then had hardly any shopping malls. Through his shopping mall, Lugner was one of a small group of businesspeople who helped change Austrians' shopping habits by pushing to the limits the various regulations concerning opening hours. In a city where shops generally closed at 6 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and from noon on Saturdays until Monday morning, Lugner strongly advocated late night shopping on at least one weekday and an extension of shopping hours to Saturday afternoon, even when that meant raising the trades unions' opposition. Together with his lawyer Adrian Hollaender, Lugner tried several times to overturn the restrictions on store opening hours for Lugner City.[13][14] He opposed the smoking ban in restaurants, even though he was a non-smoker himself.[15] In 2003, Lugner City was transferred to Volksbanken-Immoconsult by means of a leaseback arrangement.[16] Ten years later, the repurchase took place at the earliest possible contractual date by way of a share deal.[17]

In September 2005, he opened the Lugner Kino,[18] a multiplex cinema with 13 auditoriums offering space for 1840 visitors.[19]

Since 2007, a jury at an annual casting in Lugner City chooses an "Opera Ball Princess".[20]

Vienna Opera Ball

[edit]
Lugner with Brigitte Nielsen (center) and his wife Christina, 2012 at his Lugner City mall

In 1992, Mörtel and Mausi Lugner (his then wife Christina), brought Harry Belafonte to Lugner City, and also took him along to the Vienna Opera Ball. Each year thereafter, the couple would pay a celebrity to visit the shopping centre and then accompany them as their guest to the ball. The only star Lugner was unable to have as his guest, despite several attempts, was Liz Taylor.[21] In November 2023, Lugner stated he would be leaving the decisions on future guests to his daughter Jacqueline.[22]

List of guests of the Vienna Opera Ball

[edit]

Source:[23][better source needed]

Year Guest(s)
1992 Harry Belafonte
1993 Joan Collins[citation needed]
1994 Ivana Trump[citation needed]
1995 Sophia Loren[citation needed]
1996 Grace Jones[citation needed]
1997 Sarah Ferguson
1998 Raquel Welch[citation needed]
1999 Faye Dunaway
2000 Jacqueline Bisset, Nadja Abd el Farrag[citation needed]
2001 Farrah Fawcett
2002 Claudia Cardinale
2003 Pamela Anderson
2004 Andie MacDowell
2005 Geri Halliwell
2006 Carmen Electra
2007 Paris Hilton
2008 Dita Von Teese
2009 Nicollette Sheridan
2010 Dieter Bohlen
2011 Karima "Ruby“ el-Mahroug´
2012 Brigitte Nielsen, Roger Moore[citation needed]
2013 Mira Sorvino, Gina Lollobrigida[citation needed]
2014 Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner
2015 Elisabetta Canalis[citation needed]
2016 Brooke Shields
2017 Goldie Hawn[citation needed]
2018 Melanie Griffith[citation needed]
2019 Elle Macpherson[citation needed]
2020 Ornella Muti[citation needed]
2023 Jane Fonda[citation needed]
2024 Priscilla Presley[citation needed]

Political ambitions

[edit]

In the late 1990s, Lugner handed over his business to his two grown sons from an earlier marriage, Alexander and Andreas Lugner, and went into politics. In the 1998 presidential elections, he finished fourth in a field of five candidates, receiving 9.91% of the popular vote; incumbent Federal president Thomas Klestil, who had been running for a second term of office, received 63.4%. For the parliamentary elections that took place the following year, the Lugners organised a separate platform called Die Unabhängigen ("The Independents") but, as they only received 1.02% of the vote, did not get any seats in the Nationalrat. Nevertheless, at the end of the millennium, a survey found that more than 90% of Austrians recognized the name Lugner. For the 2016 presidential election he announced his intention to collect the necessary signatures in order to participate.[24] He received 6,000 supporting votes in time to be admitted to the election[25] and received 2.26% in the first round.[26]

Media appearances

[edit]

Die Lugners ("The Lugners") was a reality TV show that first aired in 2003, produced by private television broadcaster ATV which showed Richard and Christina Lugner, their daughter Jacqueline, and Richard Lugner's mother-in-law Martha Haidinger at home, at work, and on holiday. It was modeled on the US series The Osbournes.[27]

Lugner appeared weekly in the show Wir sind Kaiser, which has been broadcast since 2007.[28] In 2010, he played the role of Mr. Buttler at the Karl May Festival in Gföhl.[29] In 2016, he appeared with his then-wife Cathy in the RTL II documentary soap "Lugner und Cathy – Der Millionär und das Bunny."[30]

Controversies

[edit]

In a public controversy in early February 2007, opponents of abortion criticized Lugner for renting out a space in Lugner City to the VenusMed sexual medicine center. This led to a public conflict with Auxiliary bishop Andreas Laun.[31][32]

In 2002, Lugner made a property available to the Church of Scientology for one week for public relations work. In 2011, he wished the organization "all the best for the future" in an email to the president of the Austrian L. Ron Hubbard Foundation, which was criticized as sympathetic to Scientology.[33]

In March 2022, a few days into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Lugner told the Puls 4 channel in an interview about FPÖ party leader Herbert Kickl, "they should send him to Ukraine sometime so they can shoot him."[34]

Personal life

[edit]

Lugner had four children: His two sons, Alexander and Andreas Lugner, are from his first marriage from 1961 until 1978 with Christine Gmeiner. He had another child, Nadin, with actress Sonja Jeannine. His youngest child, daughter Jacqueline (born 1993), is from his fourth marriage with Christina Lugner.[4] The couple divorced in 2007.[35][36]

In September 2014, Lugner married German Playboy model Cathy Schmitz at a ceremony held at the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna.[37] Schmitz was a Playboy Bunny at the Playboy Club in Cologne before being the cover model of German Playboy in 2013. This was Lugner's fifth marriage.[4][38] They divorced in 2016. After their marriage, Schmitz confirmed that she received monthly financial benefits from Lugner in the form of income.[39] In July 2021, his relationship with Simone Reiländer was announced, to whom he became engaged in October. The engagement was broken off in December 2021,[40] followed by reconciliation and marriage in June 2024.[3] When choosing a partner, Lugner often sought advice from astrologer Gerda Rogers.[41]

In October 2019, Lugner unveiled his wax statue at the Madame Tussauds wax museum in Vienna.[42]

In 2016, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which he declared defeated after several months of radiotherapy in spring 2017.[43] After an injury during a vacation in the Maldives in 2020, he was diagnosed with skin cancer.[44] He subsequently underwent surgery and was found to be cancer-free. The disease returned in 2021, which resulted in another operation.[45] In July 2024, he had to undergo an emergency operation because of a leaky heart valve.[46]

He was given the nickname "Mörtel" by Austrian tabloid journalist Michael Jeannée.[47]

Richard Lugner died in Vienna on 12 August 2024, at the age of 91.[48][49]

Awards

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  • 1987: Awarded the professional title of "Technischer Rat" by the Federal Ministry for Buildings and Technology[50]
  • 1992: Awarded the Silver Medal of Honor for Services to the State of Vienna on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of his company[51]
  • 2024: Honorary member of the Villach Carnival Guild[52]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Richard Lugner

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Richard Siegfried Lugner (11 October 1932 – 12 August 2024) was an Austrian entrepreneur and renowned for his flamboyant lifestyle and contributions to Vienna's urban landscape. Lugner founded a company in 1962 that grew into a major firm employing over 700 people by the late 1990s, undertaking significant projects including the Vienna Islamic Centre, Austria's first completed in , and the Lugner City shopping mall opened in 1990, which became one of the country's largest at the time. He also restored landmarks such as a Jewish and the headquarters of the fund. A Viennese society figure nicknamed "Mörtel" for his building trade roots, Lugner cultivated notoriety by paying high fees to international celebrities, such as and , to accompany him to the annually since 1992, often sparking media attention and occasional scandals, including his 2011 invitation to Karima el-Mahroug amid her association with . His personal life featured six marriages to successively younger women, culminating in his union with 42-year-old Simone Reiländer in June 2024, shortly before undergoing heart surgery in July and dying at his mansion. Lugner entered politics as an independent, founding the Die Unabhängigen and contesting the Austrian in 1998, where he secured 9.9 percent of the vote, and in 2016 with 2.2 percent. His achieved 1.02 percent in parliamentary elections.

Early Life

Birth, Education, and Formative Influences

Richard Siegfried Lugner was born on October 11, 1932, in , , to Richard Lugner Sr., a , and his wife Leopoldine. His early childhood coincided with the political upheavals of , including Austria's annexation by in 1938 when Lugner was six years old, an event that shaped the wartime environment of his youth. Lugner's father disappeared in 1943 amid the ongoing conflict, leaving a lasting impact on the family dynamics during his formative years. Lugner completed his secondary education with school-leaving examinations () in 1953, marking the transition from his studies to professional pursuits. There is no record of formal higher education or specialized vocational training beyond this; instead, he directly entered the sector, reflecting a practical orientation influenced by post-war reconstruction needs in . These early experiences in a war-ravaged , combined with the loss of his father, likely fostered a self-reliant evident in his subsequent entrepreneurial path, though Lugner himself rarely elaborated on personal psychological influences in public accounts.

Family Background and Initial Environment

Richard Lugner was born on October 11, 1932, in , , as the eldest son of Richard Lugner Sr., a lawyer born on November 29, 1898, in Vienna's Margareten district, and Leopoldine Schenk, born on August 27, 1905, in Vienna's second district. His parents married on May 31, 1931, and both came from Viennese families with roots traceable to the city's middle-class professional circles, reflecting a stable urban bourgeois environment prior to . Lugner's early childhood included several carefree years in Vienna with his parents, where he was affectionately nicknamed "Binki" by his mother, indicative of a close familial bond in a pre-war setting. However, the onset of disrupted this stability; in 1942, his father was conscripted to fight on the Eastern Front, and he went missing in the in 1943, presumed dead, leaving Leopoldine to raise Lugner amid wartime hardships. This loss at age 10 thrust the family into the uncertainties of Austria's Nazi occupation and subsequent Allied bombing campaigns, shaping an initial environment marked by economic strain and paternal absence in post-war reconstruction-era . The Lugner household, rooted in Vienna's legal and administrative traditions, provided Lugner with exposure to professional discipline, though the war's toll on middle-class families like his—characterized by , displacement risks, and maternal-led households—fostered resilience amid broader societal recovery efforts in after 1945.

Business Career

Entry into Construction and Early Projects

Lugner entered the industry after completing his technical studies and working briefly in related fields, obtaining his building contractor's license (Baumeisterkonzession) on April 26, 1962, at age 29. That same year, he founded his firm, Baumeister Ing. Richard Lugner, hiring two workers and two employees to begin operations. His early projects centered on modest undertakings in , specializing in the construction of petrol filling stations and the renovation of historic or aging structures. One of his initial contracts involved refurbishing a known for short-term, hourly room bookings, reflecting the practical, small-scale nature of his startup phase during the . These efforts built his reputation for efficiency in niche areas like fuel infrastructure and building restorations, laying the groundwork for expansion without reliance on large public tenders. A pivotal early project came in 1975, when Lugner secured a commission from Saudi King Faisal to construct the Vienna Islamic Centre, Austria's first purpose-built mosque. Construction commenced on July 1, 1977, under his general contracting, culminating in the facility's opening on November 20, 1979, complete with a 32-meter and community spaces that elevated his firm's profile in . This landmark assignment, valued for its architectural and cultural significance, marked a transition from routine jobs to high-profile commissions, demonstrating Lugner's ability to manage complex, internationally funded builds amid 's post-war urban development.

Development of Lugner City and Commercial Expansion

In 1987, Richard Lugner acquired the site of a disused in a socioeconomically of for redevelopment into a major commercial complex. Construction commenced shortly thereafter, transforming the industrial plot into Lugner City, a multifaceted and hub designed to serve the local working-class population while attracting broader Viennese shoppers. The project represented a significant escalation in Lugner's commercial ambitions, building on his prior experience with smaller-scale developments like gas stations to create a landmark retail destination. Lugner City officially opened on September 27, 1990, as the seventh-largest in at the time, spanning public areas of approximately 27,000 square meters and incorporating retail outlets, restaurants, a multi-screen cinema, and ancillary services such as medical facilities and offices. The center's strategic location near links and its mix of affordable and upscale tenants enabled rapid growth, with major brands leasing space from launch and generating sustained revenue that underpinned Lugner's portfolio. Subsequent commercial enhancements focused on diversification rather than wholesale physical expansion, including upgrades to the Lugner Kino City cinema complex and integration of event spaces to boost occupancy and ancillary income streams. This approach sustained Lugner City's viability amid evolving retail trends, contributing to Lugner's estimated fortune exceeding €200 million by leveraging high-traffic leasing models over decades. The development not only revitalized a blighted but also exemplified Lugner's pragmatic focus on mixed-use profitability, contrasting with contemporaneous Viennese projects emphasizing cultural prestige over commercial yield.

Other Ventures and Economic Impact

Lugner diversified his business interests beyond through extensive holdings and the establishment of a that managed a significant portion of his assets, including properties, companies, and financial investments. The foundation, controlled by his sons, oversaw a complex network of and monetary resources, which formed the backbone of his estimated €250 million fortune at the time of his death in August 2024. This structure allowed for sustained investment in Vienna's property market, with ongoing developments such as planned renovations at owned hotels like the Hotel Kaffeemühle following agreements with operators. In retail operations, Lugner pursued ancillary ventures within his Lugner City complex, including a long-sought pharmacy concession granted in 2016 after 24 years of efforts, enhancing the center's service offerings. He also advocated for policy changes like Sunday trading hours to boost commercial viability, reflecting his push for flexible economic models in Vienna's retail sector. Lugner's enterprises exerted notable economic influence in Vienna, particularly through Lugner City, which opened in 1990 and revitalized a formerly impoverished by introducing Austria's first major format, achieving enduring commercial success. The project set benchmarks in retail development, earning recognition from the Austrian Retail Association and Federal Economic Chamber for innovation and authenticity in entrepreneurship. While precise employment or revenue data for his holdings remain undisclosed, the conglomerate's scale—tied to loans exceeding €40 million for investments—underpinned job creation and tax contributions in , retail, and , bolstering 's status as an economic hub generating about 25% of Austria's GDP.

Public and Social Engagements

Role in the

Richard Lugner gained prominence at the through his annual tradition of inviting international celebrities as paid companions, a practice that began in the early shortly after the 1990 opening of his Lugner City shopping mall. These guests typically toured the mall to boost its visibility before attending the ball, effectively merging commercial promotion with the event's social prestige. Lugner compensated celebrities with substantial fees, often in the five- or six-figure range, covering private jet travel and accommodations; for instance, he paid $500,000 for her 2014 appearance and $150,000 in 2010. His companions over the decades included in 1992, , in 2023, in 2024, in 2017, in 2013, and in 2005, among approximately 40 others. This ritual transformed Lugner into a fixture of the , enhancing its global media appeal through high-profile pairings and occasional spectacles like waltzes or public interactions, though not without incidents such as his criticism of Kardashian's demeanor during their evening. Lugner maintained the custom yearly until his death on August 11, 2024, rendering the 2025 event the first without his celebrity accompaniments.

Celebrity Invitations and Event Innovations

Lugner established an annual tradition of inviting international celebrities as his special guests to the starting in 1992, a practice that continued until his death in 2024 and significantly elevated the event's global media profile. These invitations, often involving payments ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars, served to promote Lugner's construction and commercial ventures by associating his name with Hollywood glamour amid the ball's traditional Viennese elegance. Notable invitees included Sophia Loren in 1995, Sarah Ferguson (paid $50,000–$150,000) in 1997, Pamela Anderson in 2003, Geri Halliwell in 2005, Paris Hilton in 2007, Lindsay Lohan in 2010, Karima El Mahroug (known as Ruby) in 2011, Kim Kardashian (paid $500,000, though she departed early after refusing to dance) in 2014, Goldie Hawn in 2017, Jane Fonda (paid a substantial sum) in 2023, and Priscilla Presley in 2024. Guests were hosted in Lugner's private lodge, which became a focal point for photographers and reporters, amplifying publicity. This strategy innovated the ball's dynamics by injecting contemporary into its 18th-century traditions, attracting broader international attendance and coverage while occasionally sparking controversies, such as threats of bans over provocative choices like amid her association with Silvio Berlusconi's scandals. Lugner's approach contrasted with the event's aristocratic roots, prioritizing spectacle to sustain his public persona and business visibility, though it drew criticism for commodifying companionship.

Political Involvement

Electoral Campaigns and Independent Runs

Lugner pursued independent candidacies for the Austrian presidency on two occasions, positioning himself as an outsider critical of established political parties. In the 1998 presidential election held on April 19, he campaigned as an independent, emphasizing and economic themes drawn from his experience, and secured 9.9 percent of the national vote, placing third behind and Gertraud Knoll. This result marked a notable debut for a non-partisan entrant, though it fell short of advancing to the runoff. Prior to this, Lugner had founded the short-lived party "Die Unabhängigen" (The Independents) in 1999 for the National Council elections, but it failed to gain parliamentary representation amid low voter support. Nearly two decades later, Lugner announced his second presidential bid on February 10, 2016, at age 83, drawing explicit inspiration from Donald Trump's U.S. campaign style, including direct appeals to disaffected voters and promises to challenge the "rot-schwarz" (Social Democratic-People's Party) coalition. He again ran independently in the first round on April 24, 2016, receiving 96,783 votes or 2.26 percent nationally, which positioned him last among six candidates and eliminated him from contention. In Vienna, his hometown, support varied by district, peaking at around 2.43 percent in areas like Simmering and Favoriten. Lugner's platform focused on reducing bureaucracy, promoting entrepreneurship, and critiquing immigration policies, but his celebrity persona and limited organizational resources constrained broader appeal. These runs highlighted Lugner's persistent outsider strategy, leveraging his media-savvy image from and social events rather than infrastructure, though both yielded marginal electoral impact amid dominance by major parties and rising far-right sentiment in 2016. No further independent campaigns followed, as Lugner shifted focus back to his commercial and public engagements in .

Expressed Views on Immigration, , and

Lugner expressed concerns over excessive , criticizing the Freedom Party (FPÖ) in for insufficient action against what he termed "überbordende Zuwanderung" (overwhelming ). He advocated for an upper limit (Obergrenze) on refugees and migrants, viewing unchecked inflows as a strain on Austrian society and resources, a position he highlighted in interviews questioning liberal policies on the issue. In a 2024 statement, Lugner lamented that topics like excessive had been sidelined in public discourse in favor of other issues, reflecting his belief that immigration policy required stricter enforcement to preserve and . On economic matters, Lugner, drawing from his experience as a construction magnate, emphasized entrepreneurial expertise in , positioning his as a counter to bureaucratic inefficiency during his presidential campaign. He supported measures to aid businesses amid crises, such as expanded relief in 2020, arguing for government intervention to prevent economic contraction while criticizing overregulation that hindered growth. Lugner favored frugal public spending, as evidenced by his low-budget electoral campaigns, and implicitly critiqued through disputes with authorities over business deductions, though he did not outline a formal tax reduction platform. Regarding , Lugner positioned himself as an independent outsider skeptical of established parties, running for in 1996, 2001, and 2015, and for federal president in 2016, where he garnered 2.26% of the vote. He advocated practical, business-oriented reforms, such as improving urban like and in , to address everyday citizen concerns over abstract ideological . Lugner expressed right-leaning sympathies, occasionally aligning with FPÖ positions but criticizing their execution, and favored direct, results-driven over partisan gridlock, reflecting his self-image as a no-nonsense entrepreneur capable of streamlining .

Media and Public Persona

Television Appearances and Broadcasting

Richard Lugner starred in the Austrian series Die Lugners, which aired on private broadcaster ATV from 2003 to 2011 and chronicled his family dynamics, business activities, and personal relationships, particularly with his then-wife Christina Lugner and their daughter Jacqueline. The show, spanning 60 episodes, drew comparisons to for its fly-on-the-wall style, capturing daily life in the Lugner household amid his high-profile social engagements. It achieved moderate viewership but highlighted Lugner's flamboyant persona, including his multiple marriages and public feuds, contributing to his tabloid fame. In later years, Lugner continued with formats focused on his romantic pursuits and travels. He featured in Lugners Loveboat – Mörtel sucht sein Seepferdchen, a 2021 four-episode series where he sought companionship aboard a , emphasizing his nickname "Mörtel" () tied to his background. Subsequent productions included Lugner im (2022–2024), documenting trips to Middle Eastern destinations, and Die Lugners – Am Karneval in Rio (2023–2024), which followed family excursions to Brazil's . These shows, often aired on channels like , reinforced his image as an eccentric septuagenarian and nonagenarian entrepreneur blending personal spectacle with exotic locales. Beyond reality television, Lugner made guest appearances on Austrian entertainment programs, including the satirical sketch show Tohuwabohu in 1990 and the culinary talk format Mahlzeit - Die Fernsehshow, where he discussed his life alongside celebrities. He also appeared in the 2017 docu-soap It Girl, portraying elements of his social circle. These outings typically leveraged his notoriety from the Vienna Opera Ball and political candidacies, positioning him as a recurring figure in lightweight, celebrity-driven broadcasting rather than scripted acting roles.

Controversial Statements and Public Feuds

Lugner sparked significant backlash in early 2007 when he rented commercial space in his Lugner City to the VenusMed clinic, which provided services. Opponents of , including Andreas Laun of , declared that Lugner had effectively excommunicated himself under for facilitating procedures deemed gravely sinful by the . Cardinal Christoph , 's , had personally urged Lugner not to proceed with the contract, but Lugner initially threatened legal action against Laun before retracting the threat without altering the lease. In a 2012 television interview, Lugner claimed that contracting AIDS resulted directly from , prompting AIDS awareness advocate and organizer Gery Keszler to permanently ban him from the event, describing his remarks as ignorant and misleading. Austrian media outlets widely reported the statement as promoting outdated and scientifically discredited causal links between and disease transmission. Lugner dismissed the invitation anyway, but the feud highlighted tensions between his unfiltered opinions and progressive social causes. Lugner's 2011 invitation of Karima El Mahroug—known as "Ruby the Heartstealer," the underage Moroccan pole dancer implicated in Silvio Berlusconi's —to the as his escort drew protests and condemnation from ball organizers, who called it "sad, humiliating, and disrespectful" to victims of exploitation. Defending the choice, Lugner stated, "If Berlusconi liked her, she's good enough for the Opera Ball," and added that "popes had mistresses too," drawing ire for trivializing both and religious authority. The incident fueled media scrutiny of his penchant for provocative guests. In 2022, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Lugner publicly suggested sending Austrian Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl to the front lines "to be shot," escalating into a personal feud; he later apologized, conceding the remark was "below the belt." This exchange reflected Lugner's pattern of sharp political rhetoric, often targeting figures he viewed as insufficiently patriotic. Lugner repeatedly courted controversy with blunt assessments of public figures, such as labeling entertainer Alfons Haider a "homosexuellen Vogel" (homosexual bird, implying eccentricity tied to orientation) in 2015, which Austrian tabloids framed as a homophobic outburst amid ongoing Opernball preparations. His self-admitted libertine persona—"Ich bin ein Wüstling" (I am a libertine)—underscored statements that prioritized personal candor over societal norms, frequently positioning him at odds with media and cultural gatekeepers.

Personal Life

Marriages, Relationships, and Family Dynamics

Richard Lugner was married six times, with each union characterized by significant age disparities and frequent short durations, often ending in . His first was to Christine Gmeiner in 1961, which lasted until their in 1978; the couple had two sons, (born circa 1963) and (born circa 1965), who later managed aspects of Lugner's business. His second to Cornelia Laufersweiler occurred in 1979 and ended in in 1983, producing no children. Lugner's third marriage to Susanne Dietrich began in 1984 and concluded with her death in 1989 at age 34 from complications following cosmetic nose surgery. He married his fourth wife, Christina Lugner, in 1990 (or 1991 per some accounts), a union that lasted until 2007 and resulted in the birth of their daughter Jacqueline in 1993. His fifth marriage was to model Cathy Schmitz in 2014, when she was 24 and he was 81; the relationship, marked by public scrutiny over the 57-year age gap, ended in divorce in 2016. In June 2024, at age 91, Lugner married his sixth wife, actress Simone Reiländer, who was 49 years his junior; he died two months later in August 2024. Beyond his marriages, Lugner had a non-marital relationship with actress Sonja Jeannine in the mid-1980s, resulting in a daughter, Nadin Jeannine Cutter (born circa 1985), though they were briefly engaged but never wed.
MarriageSpouseYears MarriedNotes/Children
1stChristine Gmeiner1961–1978Sons: ,
2ndCornelia Laufersweiler1979–1983None
3rdSusanne Dietrich1984–1989Ended in her death; none
4thChristina Lugner1990–2007Daughter: Jacqueline (b. 1993)
5thCathy Schmitz2014–2016None
6thSimone Reiländer2024None; ended with his death
Lugner's family dynamics were often tense, particularly among his four children—Alexander, Andreas, Nadin, and Jacqueline—who reportedly harbored mutual mistrust and strained relations, exacerbated by his serial marriages and favoritism toward younger spouses. In 2015, Jacqueline, then 21 and groomed to succeed in the , stepped aside amid tensions following her father's to Schmitz, allowing the new wife greater influence. Posthumously, disputes over Lugner's fortune intensified, with his children contesting amendments to his will made weeks before death that potentially favored Reiländer, leading to family members sitting apart at his .

Health, Later Years, and Death

In 2016, Lugner was diagnosed with , which he reported overcoming following several months of radiotherapy completed in spring 2017. He was subsequently diagnosed with , though details on treatment outcomes remain limited in public reports. Lugner's later years were marked by ongoing public engagements, including his traditional role at the , where he appeared in February 2024 accompanied by . On June 2, 2024, at age 91, he married his sixth wife, Simone Reilaender, who was 49 years his junior; the union drew media attention amid his reported severe back pain and exhaustion. In mid-July 2024, Lugner underwent heart surgery at 's AKH University Hospital after a ruptured , part of broader health complications that had persisted in recent months. He died on August 12, 2024, at his estate at the age of 91, following these health setbacks. Prior to his death, Lugner had been preparing details for his arrangements.

Controversies and Criticisms

Business and Ethical Disputes

In , Lugner faced significant ethical criticism for leasing commercial space in his Lugner City shopping center to VenusMed, a sexual medicine clinic that provided services. Opponents of , including church authorities, argued that this constituted formal cooperation with procedures condemned by Catholic doctrine, leading Andreas Laun to declare that Lugner had incurred automatic (latae sententiae) under . had previously urged Lugner against signing the lease, but Lugner proceeded, initially threatening legal action against the bishop before retracting. This incident highlighted tensions between Lugner's profit-driven decisions and moral objections from pro-life advocates, resulting in public boycotts and protests at the mall. Lugner's business operations also encountered financial strains, including a near-bankruptcy in the early that forced the sale of Lugner City to a subsidiary of Volksbank, after which he leased it back to continue operations. By February 2024, Lugner publicly acknowledged debts of approximately 40 million euros, primarily from loans tied to ongoing investments in properties and developments, though he maintained these were manageable within his portfolio estimated at up to 250 million euros. These revelations fueled speculation about the sustainability of his construction and empire, Lugner Bau, but no formal creditor disputes or proceedings were reported during his lifetime. Additional business frictions included a public spat with retailer Spar over trading hours at Lugner City, where Lugner advocated for extended openings to boost revenue despite regulatory pushback and tenant resistance. While not escalating to litigation, such conflicts underscored Lugner's aggressive commercial stance, prioritizing economic viability over traditional retail norms or observance concerns raised by some stakeholders. Overall, these episodes reflected Lugner's pragmatic approach to , often prioritizing financial returns amid ethical and operational challenges, without evidence of systemic or legal violations in verified records.

Personal Conduct and Societal Backlash

Lugner's personal relationships, characterized by six marriages to women with substantial age differences, elicited for appearing transactional or driven by superficial attractions rather than enduring partnerships. His 2014 marriage to 24-year-old Schmitz, when he was 82, lasted only until 2016 amid public speculation about motives, while his final union in June 2024 to 42-year-old Simone Reiländer, 49 years his junior, occurred weeks before his death and fueled similar discourse on . His tradition of compensating celebrities and models—often in six-figure sums—to serve as escorts at the drew accusations of commodifying women and associating with controversial figures. In March 2011, Lugner invited 18-year-old Karima El Mahroug, implicated in a scandal involving , prompting ball organizers to issue a statement of regret, deeming the choice "sad, humiliating and disrespectful" to the event's prestige. Public incidents underscored perceptions of impropriety in Lugner's conduct toward women. At the 2006 Opera Ball, he openly ogled model while standing beside his then-wife Christina Lugner, an act that attracted media scrutiny for its lack of discretion. Following a $500,000 payment to for the 2014 ball, Lugner labeled her "annoying" after she declined to dance with him, a remark that amplified backlash over his expectations of paid companions. Lugner defended such practices with provocative statements, including a comparison equating papal mistresses to modern escorts, which critics viewed as minimizing ethical concerns around exploitation. In 2020, Olympic skier rejected his invitation publicly on , citing discomfort after he posted a revealing image of her, reflecting broader societal rejection of his overt pursuit of glamour.

Legacy

Achievements in Entrepreneurship and Culture

Richard Lugner established a prominent construction firm that specialized in , amassing a fortune estimated at 250 million euros through projects that reshaped 's urban landscape. In 1975, his company secured the commission to construct the Islamic Centre, Austria's first and largest , marking a significant engineering feat in accommodating the growing Muslim community amid post-war migration. This project, completed with innovative design for worship and community spaces, demonstrated Lugner's capability in handling complex, culturally sensitive builds. A pinnacle of his entrepreneurial success was the development of Lugner City, a initiated in 1987 on the site of a former factory in 's working-class 16th district, which opened in 1990 as the country's seventh-largest retail center at the time. The complex expanded to over 100 stores, incorporating celebrity appearances, live shows in its central atrium, and advocacy for extended Sunday trading hours, which boosted foot traffic and economic vitality in an underserved area. Lugner City's enduring profitability positioned it among Austria's top-performing malls, underscoring his foresight in blending retail innovation with local needs. In recognition of these contributions, he received the of Honor for Services to the State of Vienna in 1992. Lugner's cultural influence extended through high-profile sponsorships that elevated Vienna's social events on the global stage, particularly via his longstanding loge at the , where he hosted international celebrities such as (for a reported $500,000 fee in 2013), , and , drawing media attention and enhancing the event's prestige. These invitations, starting prominently in the 1990s with figures like at Lugner City in 1992 before his Opera Ball appearance, fused commerce with glamour, promoting as a hub for elite cultural exchanges. His respectful engagement with diverse communities, including praise from the Turkish Cultural Community in for his empathetic approach, further highlighted his role in fostering intercultural dialogue through architectural legacies like the .

Awards, Honors, and Enduring Influence

Lugner received the honorary title of Technischer Rat on November 6, 1987, conferred by Austria's Federal Minister for Buildings and Technology, recognizing his professional contributions to the construction sector. On April 26, 1992, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of his firm Lugner Bau, he was awarded the Silbernes Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um das Land Wien by the City of for his entrepreneurial achievements in urban development. These honors underscored his role in advancing 's infrastructure, though formal accolades remained limited amid his polarizing public persona. Posthumously, 's 15th district initiated plans in 2025 to name a public square Lugner-Platz in his honor, reflecting local recognition of his contributions to the city's . Such tributes highlight ongoing debates over his legacy, with proponents citing tangible projects like the 1975 Vienna Islamic Centre— Austria's first purpose-built mosque—and the 1990 opening of Lugner City, a 40,000-square-meter shopping complex that became a key retail hub. Lugner's enduring influence stems primarily from elevating the Vienna Opera Ball's global profile starting in 1992, when he began hiring international celebrities—such as , , and —to attend as his dates, often at costs exceeding €500,000 per event, thereby blending Viennese tradition with modern spectacle and boosting media coverage. This practice transformed the ball into a hybrid of high society and pop culture, sustaining its allure amid competition from events like the , though critics argued it commodified elegance. His firm's projects, including synagogue renovations and commercial developments, modernized 's urban fabric, fostering economic activity in districts like Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus. Overall, Lugner's approach—prioritizing bold self-promotion and high-profile ventures—left a mark on Austrian , exemplifying a blend of traditional craftsmanship and media-savvy innovation that outlasted his personal controversies.

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