Jocelyn Wildenstein, known as “Catwoman” for her extensive cosmetic surgeries that aimed to give her feline-like features, has died at 84.
The Swiss-born socialite passed away from a pulmonary embolism in Paris, her partner, fashion designer Lloyd Klein, confirmed through AFP. Wildenstein was last publicly seen on December 18 in Paris, appearing vibrant and healthy.
Born Jocelyne Périsset, she rose from modest beginnings to marry the French-American billionaire Alec N. Wildenstein after a serendipitous meeting on a safari in Kenya.
Their mutual love for wildlife ignited their relationship, culminating in an elopement in Las Vegas in 1978. As a relative of a family member who owned the renowned art dealership Wildenstein & Co., she experienced a life filled with great wealth and luxury.
Despite their opulent lifestyle, the couple’s marriage dissolved in 2000 due to Alec’s infidelity, resulting in a highly publicized divorce that granted Jocelyn a $2.5 billion settlement plus $100 million annually for 13 years.
However, her later years were marked by financial decline due to lavish spending and continuous cosmetic surgeries, which drastically altered her appearance and eventually led to bankruptcy. Despite these challenges, Jocelyn remained influential in social circles, maintaining over a million Instagram followers and describing herself as an “art dealer” until her death.
