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Priscilla Presley, accompanist Richard Lugner in Vienna: "Let's see what happens"

Photo: Eva Manhart / dpa

Year after year, Richard “Mörtel” Lugner is accompanied by prominent women to the Vienna Opera Ball; this year, Priscilla Presley is at his side. The 91-year-old building contractor had some dubious compliments for the 78-year-old: she was very “easy to care for” and did everything she was told, said Lugner. Presley is the most beautiful woman he has ever brought to the opera ball.

Priscilla Presley appeared relaxed and full of anticipation at a joint press conference. The actress (“The Naked Gun”) and ex-wife of music legend Elvis Presley said she heard that everyone loved the ball. "I wish I could stay longer." After the first 48 hours in Austria's capital, she was particularly impressed by the culture and history. She left it open whether she would dare to dance with her host in the State Opera, which has been converted into a magnificent ballroom. "Let's see what happens." She dealt with her host's audible English weakness very diplomatically: "I love his accent," said the American.

In one important respect, however, she doesn't harmonize with Lugner at all: she is a night owl - and he goes to bed early, says Presley. In addition, she apparently has no soft spot for Austrian cuisine with its love of meat and sweets. Presley said she was a vegetarian and didn't like sweets either.

Lugner, who made his fortune with, among other things, a shopping center, has often paid high-profile celebrities since 1992 to accompany him to the opera ball in a way that attracted media attention. It is considered the top social event in Austria. Last year, Lugner had the actress and activist Jane Fonda at his side.

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Richard “Mörtel” Lugner: “There are women who really want me.” An interview by Anton Rainer and Nora Gantenbrink

Other prominent guests this Thursday include the Italian actor Franco Nero (“Django”), the German comedian and presenter Oliver Pocher and the folk musician Heino. They will all take a seat in entrepreneur Markus Deussl's box. "I had always planned this with Hannelore, but unfortunately God put a stop to our plans," said the 85-year-old musician on Wednesday in Vienna. Heino's wife Hannelore died three months ago.

Priscilla Presley was married to Elvis from 1967 to 1973. The two met in Bad Nauheim near Frankfurt in 1959, when Priscilla was only 14 years old. Elvis was ten years older and did military service in Germany, Priscilla's stepfather was stationed as an officer in Wiesbaden. The only two phrases in German that she could still speak came from this time: “What’s going on?” and “Goodbye.”

bbr/wit/dpa