Sisic had undergone multiple operations over the years, according to local reports

NEED TO KNOW

• The reigning Miss Austria, Lucia Sisic, has died at age 22
• Sisic was honored with the title in 2024, and there have been no further pageants since then, according to local reports
• A cause of death has not yet been revealed

Lucia Sisic, who is the reigning Miss Austria, has died at age 22, according to local reports.

Sisic had a heart valve defect since birth and had undergone multiple operations through the years, per Die Presse, Oe24 and Kronen Zeitung. 

A cause of death has not yet been revealed.

Sisic was crowned Miss Austria in 2024, and continued to hold the title as there were no further pageants after that, the outlets reported.

Mission Austria, the organization that selects the Miss and Mister Austria titleholders, was among those paying tribute to Sisic on social media.

A translated post shared on Facebook 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,” the message continued.

The post — which was signed by Mission Austria CEO Kerstin Rigger and her husband Jörg — concluded, “Dear Lucia, you will always remain a part of our Miss Austria family. Rest in peace.”

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Sisic had her last heart operation over the winter, per Die Presse. 

She’d previously thanked a team of pediatric cardiology specialists on social media, writing in an August 2024 Instagram post, “Thanks to the specialists and the dedicated doctors, who have always saved my life with great efforts, I have overcome many difficult moments and have been able to live a fulfilling life,” translated from German.

Sisic shared her last post on Instagram on Aug. 12, writing, “Golden moments,” alongside multiple photographs of herself wearing a gold gown.

PEOPLE has reached out to Miss Universe Austria and Mission Austria for comment.

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