Photo Gallery Bunga Bunga at the Ball
'Bunga bunga' met high society at the famous Vienna Opera Ball on Thursday with an appearance by the young woman at the center of the Silvio Berlusconi underage sex scandal. Karima el-Mahroug, better known as Ruby, came along as the date of Austrian entrepreneur Richard Lugner. Ruby was all smiles as she posed for the cameras at the ball alongside her date Lugner (right), and US actor Larry Hagman, who was also Lugner's guest.
The Austrian tycoon was clearly enjoying himself -- although his choice of date certainly raised a few eyebrows.
Prosecutors in Milan have accused the Italian prime minister of paying for sex with the then-underage Ruby at so-called "bunga bunga" parties between February and May 2010.
Ruby appeared to be enjoying herself in Lugner's opera box...
...and also made a splash with her dancing.
Vienna Opera Ball veteran Lugner whirls his date around on the dance floor.
The 78-year-old was clearly relishing his evening with Ruby...
...and he made sure the 18-year-old was well looked after.
The couple left rivals like Prince Mario Max Schaumburg-Lippe and Nina "Bambi" Bruckner in the shade.
With so much attention focused on who was showing up, the night's professional dance performances were almost of secondary importance.
The musical accompaniment was provided by the Vienna philharmonic orchestra.
Latvian singer Elina Garanca also performed at the event.
Before the ball, Lugner had taken his guest to dinner -- in a helicopter, of course.
The 78-year-old enjoyed a glass of wine at the dinner table with the teenager.
Lugner, who is currently linked to a woman 50 years younger than him, is famous for bringing glamorous celebrity guests to the Vienna Opera Ball. His 2003 date was Pamela Anderson, shown here.
Sophia Loren was by his side in 1995...
...while it was Carmen Electra's turn in 2006...
...followed by Paris Hilton in 2007...
...and burlesque artiste Dita von Teese the following year.
