- Farewell speech by Lugner: "Farewell, Richard, your affectionately chosen nickname"
Austrian entrepreneur Richard Lugner, renowned for his lavish events and scandalous personal life, continued to captivate the masses even in his death, drawing a swarm of cameras at his memorial service held at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. Adhering to his wishes, the service mirrored one of his high-society gathering, filled with beauty, fame, and emotion.
Lugner, a frequent guest at the Vienna Opera Ball, passed away on August 12 at the age of 91. Known for promoting his lavish soirees, he often announced the distinguished attendees, earning him a handsome fee. This time, the widow of Elvis, Priscilla Presley, graced his presence.
Lugner reveled in the title of a "society lion" and relished his six marriages under the scrutiny of the public eye, establishing him as a prominent figure in Austrian celebrity culture and a staple in gossip columns and tabloid shows.
At the public memorial service, the nave was filled with notable figures and politicians, while hundreds of onlookers recorded the event on their phones.
"His spirit will feel this," stated Dean Toni Faber moments before the memorial service began, addressing camera crews in the nave. "His spirit will feel this, and he will smile down upon us, gratefully accepting our tribute."
Lugner's latest wife and widow, 42-year-old Simone, entered in a floor-length black gown accessorized with a golden belt. She took a seat apart from Lugner's daughter Jacqueline, who sat in the front row on the right beside Lugner's fourth wife, Christina Lugner.
Lugner had made his fourth wife, Christina, his lifelong partner, having spent 17 years together. Obeying his requests, they were buried at exactly 13:13, a number considered lucky in their shared past.
Former wives and lovers attended the memorial service, with the exception of Kathy, the German former Playboy model who had publicly voiced her dismay at not being invited, as their marriage had lasted for only two years.
The musical presentation included Mozart and Austrian rock singer Dennis Jale, who sang an emotional rendition of Elton John's "Candle in the Wind", turning the lyrics into a heartfelt tribute to Lugner, "Goodbye, Dear Richard". As they departed the church, the traditional fanfare polonaise that opens the Opera Ball each year played, sending them off with a final farewell.
Lugner had requested a red casket, mirroring the hue of his Lugner City shopping center. His top hat rested atop the casket, a poignant final touch to the public memorial service. The procession then moved to a more private funeral following the service.
The Community gathered at St. Stephen's Cathedral to pay their respects at Richard Lugner's memorial service, demonstrating the significance of his impact within Viennese society.
Following Lugner's death, The Community continued to engage in discussions about his life and legacy, keeping his name alive in community gatherings and events.
