Elvis widow is coming!

Lugner comes to the Opera Ball with Priscilla Presley

Richard Lugner announces this year's star guest at the Opera Ball today.

(Bild: Andreas Tischler / picturedesk.com)

Richard Lugner's guest star at this year's Opera Ball has been the subject of much speculation in the run-up to the event. Today, Wednesday, the Opernball zampano finally dropped the bombshell: Priscilla Presley will accompany him to the grand state ball at the Vienna State Opera on February 8. You can watch the press conference from Lugner City in the livestream above. 

Kim Kardashian, Goldie Hawn, Paris Hilton or Jane Fonda: Richard Lugner has had them all (almost). In recent weeks, the busy society builder has kept quiet about who it will be this year - despite some speculation.

He only revealed this much last year: he no longer chooses his Opera Ball companions himself. He has already handed over the sceptre to his daughter Jacqueline, who, as the operator of the Vienna Lugner Cinema, has a better insight into the film industry and simply knows the Hollywood stars better than he does.

Richard Lugner is looking forward to his star guest at this year's Opera Ball.

(Bild: Andreas Tischler / picturedesk.com)

Sex in the box
Mörtel has been bringing star guests to the opera regularly since 1992. And the fact that they are always good for a scandal was demonstrated back in 1996, when US singer Grace Jones apparently had sex with her companion in a remote corner of the box. "That was clearly audible," said Lugner. The premiere guest in 1992, on the other hand, was the "very problem-free" Harry Belafonte. Back then, by the way, there was almost no media attention.

Richard Lugner with Grace Jones at the Opera Ball

(Bild: Alexander Tuma)

But that changed with Joan Collins in 1993. "She was very professional - and ice-cold," said Lugner. The American actress was also the first time the master builder was confronted with the quirks and special requests of international celebrities: As the diva only appeared in a miniskirt as a matter of principle, the lectern on the Lugner City stage had to be covered for the autograph session. In addition, mineral water could only be provided in a sealed container. "She was afraid that someone would pour sleeping pills into it."

Into the international headlines with "Förtschi"
Lugner first hit the international headlines in 1997 with Sarah "Förtschi" Ferguson, the Duchess of York. After that, only big politics could stop the busy builder: After the formation of the first FPÖ-ÖVP government in 2000, potential "ball donors" ran away from the master builder in droves. Claudia Cardinale suddenly did not want to attend the event at his side, nor did Catherine Deneuve.

The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, in Lugner's box in 1997

(Bild: APA/GINDL BARBARA)

However, the master builder's biggest coups were undoubtedly Pamela Anderson (2003), Paris Hilton (2007) and Kim Kardashian (2014).

Kardashian threw Lugner off balance
Kardashian in particular upset the master builder's mental balance: the American had arrived with her own TV team and regularly disrupted the supporting program around the ball. "It was a mess," said an annoyed Lugner.

Attending the Opera Ball with Richard Lugner: Kardashian and mom Chris Jenner were horrified.

(Bild: APA/HERBERT PFARRHOFER)

But Kardashian also spoke afterwards of a "real nightmare". The master builder caused the most trouble in 2011 when he took Italian Ruby Rubacuori, who was involved in a sex affair surrounding Italian ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The diplomatic faux pas infuriated the then organizer Desiree Treichl-Stürgkh to such an extent that she no longer wanted to give the master builder a box.