The reigning Miss Austria, Lucia Sisic, has died at just 22 years old following years of serious health struggles.

Sisic, who was crowned Miss Austria in 2024, had lived with a heart valve defect since birth and underwent multiple operations over the years, according to Austrian outlets Die Presse, Oe24 and Kronen Zeitung.

Her official cause of death has not been revealed.

Sisic remained the reigning Miss Austria at the time of her death because no additional national pageants had been held since she won the crown in 2024, local reports said.

Mission Austria, the organization responsible for selecting Miss and Mister Austria titleholders, announced her death in an emotional Facebook tribute.

“It is with great shock and deep sorrow that we have learned of the passing of our Miss Austria 2024, Lucia Sisic,” the organization wrote in a post translated from German.

“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, signed by Mission Austria CEO Kerstin Rigger and her husband Jörg, ended with a heartbreaking farewell.

“Dear Lucia, you will always remain a part of our Miss Austria family. Rest in peace.”

Sisic reportedly underwent her most recent heart operation during the winter.

She had previously spoken publicly about the doctors who cared for her throughout her life, thanking pediatric cardiology specialists 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,” she wrote in a message translated from German.

Despite her long medical history, Sisic continued modeling and appearing publicly as Miss Austria.

Her final Instagram post came on Aug. 12, when she shared several glamorous photos of herself dressed in a shimmering gold gown.

“Golden moments,” she captioned the post.

The images have now become a poignant final glimpse of the young beauty queen, whose sudden death has stunned friends, supporters and members of Austria’s pageant community.

Mission Austria said Sisic would forever remain part of its family as tributes poured in for the 22-year-old.