Sharon Stone to attend Vienna Opera Ball

American actress Sharon Stone, a Hollywood legend renowned for her powerful portrayals of strong and emancipated women in films such as Basic Instinct and Casino, will attend this year’s Vienna Opera Ball, DPA reported.

She will walk the red carpet as the guest of honor of confectionery entrepreneur Karl Guschlbauer, known as Austria’s “king of cream rolls,” at the gala taking place on February 12, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

The American actress has expressed her enthusiasm for the traditional event, which represents the highlight of Austria’s social calendar and attracts around 5,000 participants.

“The Opera Ball is a world-famous event, and the Vienna State Opera is a magical place. I am very much looking forward to entering this world,” Sharon Stone said in a press release issued on Wednesday by the communication team of entrepreneur Karl Guschlbauer.

Karl Guschlbauer’s invitation marks a strategic move in the history of the event to fill the void left by the death of Richard “Mörtel” Lugner in 2024.

For decades, the Viennese businessman and socialite was famous for inviting top-tier American celebrities — such as Jane Fonda and Kim Kardashian — to accompany him to the ball, often generating significant media attention for the event.

Ahead of the ball, Sharon Stone plans to hold a press conference and sign autographs on February 10 at the headquarters of Karl Guschlbauer’s company, located in the small Austrian town of St. Willibald.

“Her charisma, elegance, and social commitment perfectly match our brand and the way we understand culinary culture,” the Austrian entrepreneur said in a statement.

Karl Guschlbauer runs a bakery chain bearing his name, specializing in the sale of traditional Austrian bread and pastries served in cafés. However, his brand is probably best known for its puff-pastry spirals generously filled with cream and dusted with powdered sugar.