It is believed that he was struggling with multiple health issues prior to his death, and he had undergone surgical procedures in the months before.In the time leading up to his death, Lugner had also married for the sixth time.
Richard Lugner, seen with his wife Simone Reiländer, has died.Manfred Schmid/Getty Images
On June 1, Lugner married 42-year-old Simone Reiländer at Vienna City Hall.
Born in Vienna in 1932, Lugner completed his general school education and then graduated from the Federal Technical and Commercial College, where he focused on building construction.
He began his career at a construction company in Vienna.
He later obtained his building contractor license and started his own business.
Lugner’s company gained fame for constructing Vienna’s first mosque and subsequently the Stadttempel, the city’s main synagogue.
The late entrepreneur, who was 91 years old, went on to build his own shopping mall, Lugner City, which became a significant part of his legacy.When Lugner City opened in 1990, Lugner invited American singer Harry Belafonte to the mall and then took him to the Vienna Opera Ball.
Kim Kardashian, Richard Lugner and Kris Jenner attended the 2014 Vienna Opera Ball together.Gisela Schober/Getty Images
From that year on, Lugner made it a tradition to invite a famous celebrity each year to visit Lugner City and then accompany him to the Ball.
Over the years, some of the celebrities Lugner invited to Vienna include Goldie Hawn, Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner, Raquel Welch, Jane Fonda, and Priscilla Presley.Following his death, tributes have been pouring in for Lugner, with the Lugner City shopping center leading the tributes on social media.
A Facebook post shared yesterday stated, “Our Engineer Richard Lugner, our mortar and above all our beloved boss has unfortunately left us today.”The post continued, “We can hardly put into words the pain we feel. The grief is indescribably great, but we want to reflect on all the beautiful and great times together.
Goldie Hawn is one of the many celebrities that were invited to Lugner City as the billionaire’s special guest.Michael Gruber/Getty Images
“With a laughing and a crying eye we say goodbye to the great Richard Lugner, in our hearts he will stay forever!”
