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Leni Klum Dazzles at Vienna Opera Ball: First Since Billionaire’s Controversial Death!

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At the 2025 Vienna Opera Ball, Leni Klum graced the occasion with a captivating presence, becoming a focal point among the illustrious attendees – this being the event’s return following the demise of billionaire Richard Lugner.

20-year-old model shone brightly while mingling with celebrities like Candice Swanepoel and Ed Westwick at the Vienna State Opera last Thursday evening.

At the prestigious Opera Ball, it’s well-known that high-profile attendees abound, with rumors swirling that the influential tycoon Lugner has shelled out substantial amounts to accompany celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Geri Halliwell.

In August 2024, the Austrian business magnate in the construction industry passed away at the age of 91 following various health complications. This year’s 67th edition of the event will be the initial one held since his demise.

Exiting the event with an air of elegance, Leni captivated everyone’s attention in a fitting plum gown adorned with shimmering sequins that accentuated her silhouette.

Heidi Klum’s and Flavino Briatore’s daughter added a bit of height with black high-heels to finish off her ensemble.

She adorned herself with a striking, shimmering silver necklace and coordinating bracelet, adding a touch of red-carpet elegance to the celebration events.

Apart from Leni, she too displayed her freshly styled brunette hairdo, neatly pulling her shiny strands up into an elegant bun, having bid farewell to her traditional blonde hairstyle.

A renowned model named Candice Swanepoel gracefully accompanied her, adorning herself in a sophisticated midi dress made of cream satin that featured cape-like sleeves.

The Victoria’s Secret model, aged 36, accentuated her appearance with a pair of sparkling silver high-heels and a silver jeweled choker around her neck to give an extra dash of sparkle.

She accentuated her beautiful attributes using a fresh makeup look while she attended Leni in a lavish suite, where they enjoyed an illustrious opera and ballroom dance presentation together.

37-year-old actor Ed Westwick, known for his role in Gossip Girl, also graced the event wearing a sleek black tuxedo. He posed confidently alongside two models, exuding an air of elegance.

This year’s Opera Ball will be the inaugural one following the demise of Austrian tycoon Lugner, who was renowned for his lavish living, multiple marriages, and high-profile dates with Hollywood celebrities.

Lugner passed away in his Viennese villa on August 12, 2024, Austrian media reported at the time.

A couple of weeks prior to his passing, Lugner wed his sixth spouse, the 42-year-old actress Simone ‘Biene’ Reilaender, who was almost half his age. The event was captured by no less than 20 television crews and photographers.

The flamboyant figure of Viennese high society, Lugner, often made front-page news, from his glamorous appearances to the controversy surrounding his sexist remarks.

Known as “Mr. Concrete” because of his background in construction, Lugner was well-known for frequently socializing with famous individuals during lively get-togethers.

It is said that he allegedly shelled out large amounts, typically six figures, to celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Geri Halliwell, and Paris Hilton, in order for them to accompany him at the Opera Ball.

The exact sum the tycoon spent on his honored guests is generally kept private, but he took advantage of the occasion to boost his brand’s image by inviting at least one celebrity every year to the annual ball.

Starting from 1992, Lugner has extended invitations to esteemed actors such as Goldie Hawn, Joan Collins, and Jane Fonda, with Fonda stating that she was compensated generously to participate in the event.

More recently, he attended the 2024 event accompanied by Priscilla Presley, Elvis Presley’s ex-wife, and they spent the evening dancing together, mere months prior to his passing.

In 1997, Sarah Ferguson went to the Opera Ball accompanied by Lugner, who is reported to have paid her an amount ranging from $50,000 to $150,000.

More former guests of Lugner include Sophia Loren, Pamela Anderson, Paris Hilton and Joan Collins. 

Among the notable attendees at the Opera Ball, Lugner had invited Kim Kardashian. In 2014, he referred to her as ‘pesky’ following their double date with her mother, Kris Jenker, where they accompanied him to the event.

According to Kim, she left the gathering as she allegedly took offense after hearing a racial slur from another attendee.

Following the ball, Lugner asserted that the star refused to dance with him, even though he had paid an astonishing $500,000 (approximately £400,000) for the opportunity.

However, Kim asserted that a man wearing blackface, who was employed at the occasion, had approached her and impersonated her then-partner, Kanye West. This behavior led her to flee the scene.

Although Kim described the Vienna Ball as extremely glamorous, she confessed that her apprehension stemmed mainly from finding it excessively crowded or confined.

Lugner has been through six marriages, a testament to the highs and lows of his complex romantic journey, which he was not shy about discussing in regards to his personal relationships.

In 1961, Lugner got married to Christine Gmeiner and their union lasted until 1978. 

He then married Cornelia Laufersweiler in 1979, but got swiftly divorced four years later in 1983.

A year after his marriage to Susanne Dietrich as his third spouse, they parted ways by divorce in 1989.

Lugner was married to his fourth spouse, Christina Lugner, from 1990 until 2007. Then, he wed his fifth wife, Cathy Schmitz (a Playboy Bunny), in 2014. However, this couple with a significant age gap divorced only about two years later in 2016, after being married for just 809 days.

In 2021, the billionaire revealed his romantic partnership with Simone Reilaender, and they exchanged vows in a private ceremony attended by 50 people in June this year – a mere few weeks prior to his passing.

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2025-02-28 13:06

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