Paris Hilton to attend Vienna Opera Ball

Austrian businessman Richard Lugner shows a photograph of Paris Hilton during a news conference in Vienna, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2007, where he announced that Hilton will be their guest at this year’s Viennese opera ball. Richard Lugner, a 74-year-old real estate and construction mogul, each year invites a celebrity to attend the prestigious event with him and his wife. He confirmed at a news conference Wednesday that Hilton had accepted his invitation this year.

This year, Lugner and his wife will be accompanied by Paris Hilton, the 74-year-old real estate and construction mogul said at a news conference Wednesday.

The 25-year-old socialite/actress/singer will travel to the Austrian capital with her parents and three girlfriends, Lugner was quoted as saying by the Austria Press Agency.

His past ball guests include: Carmen Electra, Pamela Anderson, Andie MacDowell, Geri Halliwell and Grace Jones. Being on this list isn’t something to be proud of, but Paris is getting paid $1 million dollars for the appearance.

The Opera Ball, which will take place on Feb. 15 this year, is attended by Austria’s politicians, socialites and foreign dignitaries. Tickets for the event, which is broadcast live on national television, are extremely hard to come by and sell out months ahead of time.