Jane Fonda accompanies Richard Lugner to this year’s Opera Ball in Vienna. But it probably only came about as a result of a misunderstanding. As the 85-year-old now admits, she actually thought she was going to the opera. The ball is now quite a surprise for the Hollywood star.
Jane Fonda was not exactly informed when she was invited to the Vienna Opera Ball by the society lion Richard “Mörtel” Lugner. “I thought I was going to an opera,” said the 85-year-old actress when she first appeared with her host in Vienna.
But she’s used to the idea now. “Lots of photos will be taken and I will probably meet the President.” But she would prefer not to waltz with the 90-year-old Lugner. “I have an artificial shoulder, two artificial hips, two artificial knees. I’m old and I could fall apart,” said the American, who was once very successful as a fitness queen.
Maybe she actually has better things to do these days, after all, Fonda recently showed herself to be a highly committed climate protector. She fully understands all the protests – including the controversial adhesive campaigns by climate activists, she said at the meeting. “What they call out to us is: Help us, you old people. Help us so that we have a future!” Fonda said. After numerous very successful film projects (“Grace and Frankie”, “80 for Brady”), she wants to devote herself entirely to climate protection in the near future. That’s why she accepts invitations like Richard Lugner’s. “He pays quite a lot of money,” admitted the 85-year-old openly.
She found polite words about her host, but avoided being too close. “I don’t know anyone who has an entire city named after them,” Fonda said. In this case it is his Vienna shopping center, which operates as “Lugner City”.
Around 5,000 guests are expected to attend the Opera Ball, the social highlight in Austria, this Thursday. After a two-year Corona break, the ball is also dedicated to charity – part of the proceeds will be donated to social causes. German Finance Minister Christian Lindner is also expected to attend the ball as a guest of his Austrian colleague Magnus Brunner.
