From Billionaire to Bankrupt: Can You Identify This Unrecognizable Star?

She’s the enigmatic figure who captured the spotlight with her high-profile marriage and the jaw-dropping transformations that left her almost unrecognizable.

Born in Switzerland, this socialite emerged from humble beginnings before marrying a French-American billionaire in the 1970s, launching her into a world of opulence.

But just over twenty years later, the couple became infamous for their tumultuous divorce, grabbing headlines and sparking public intrigue.

Following their split, she became one of the richest women on the planet, walking away with more than $2 billion plus a staggering annual payout.

Yet, in a twist that seems almost cinematic, she squandered her fortune through years of extravagant spending and relentless cosmetic procedures.

Can you guess the identity of this iconic socialite?

This glamorous figure is known for her marriage to a wealthy art dealer and her extravagant lifestyle after their divorce. Can you figure out who she is?

Meet Jocelyn Wildenstein, infamously dubbed ‘Catwoman’ thanks to her striking feline-like features.

At the age of 84, this high-society sensation—originally Jocelyne Périsset—was married to the late art dealer and billionaire Alec N. Wildenstein, whose family founded a renowned Paris-based art empire.

Jocelyn’s life took a fascinating turn during her childhood when a box of African wildlife picture books ignited a passion for the continent and its creatures.

This passion blossomed into an interest in hunting and wildlife, drawing her to the Wildenstein family’s Kenyan ranch, Ol Jogi. It was there that she first crossed paths with Alec, introduced by a wealthy Saudi arms dealer.

Their bond grew as they embarked on thrilling hunting excursions, including a night where she witnessed Alec take down a lion. In an unforgettable ritual, they celebrated their triumph by eating part of the lion’s heart—a legendary act meant to imbue them with the lion’s power.

Jocelyn Wildenstein, the ‘Catwoman’ known for her unique facial features, has had a remarkable life filled with luxury and controversy; captured here in 2022.

This nostalgic photo from the late ’70s shows Jocelyn at her ex-husband’s Kenyan ranch, where their love story began.

‘To take the strength of the lion, you must eat a piece of its heart,’ she recounted. Her youthful energy radiated in a photo taken at Ol Jogi, where she donned a navy tee showcasing the ranch’s name and a lion graphic that seemed to mirror her fierce spirit.

In those days, she exuded confidence in fitted tan shorts and a luxury watch, all while capturing memories with her camera and sporting stylish sunglasses.

Reflecting on her early days at Ol Jogi, she declared, ‘This is where my love affair with Africa truly began.’ Although the exact date of the photo remains uncertain, it likely captured her budding romance with Alec in the late ’70s or early ’80s.

By the 1990s, however, Jocelyn underwent a drastic transformation due to numerous cosmetic surgeries, leading to her striking lion-like features.

Living lavishly with Wildenstein, Jocelyn faced a shocking divorce in 2000, securing a lavish settlement of $2.5 billion and annual payments; seen here in 1997.

Despite her wealth, the lion-faced socialite squandered her fortune through extravagant spending and faced shocking events in her life.

Her surgery journey resulted in slanted cat eyes, a pronounced chin, and cheekbones that some likened to a lion’s visage. Ironically, Jocelyn once insisted that she had never gone under the knife, although she has since acknowledged some procedures while downplaying their effects.

After years of lavish spending and seemingly endless surgeries, Alec filed for divorce in 1999, although Jocelyn claims she was the one who initiated the split due to his infidelities.

Despite the divorce proceedings happening in Switzerland—where she was less likely to receive a substantial settlement—she ended up with a staggering $2.5 billion and an additional $100 million annually for 13 years, later inherited from his estate after his passing in 2008.

However, her ex-husband’s family terminated the payments in 2015.

Even with wealth beyond most people’s wildest dreams, Jocelyn’s extravagant lifestyle consumed her fortune, leading her to indulge in designer clothes, dazzling jewels, stunning artworks, and extravagant phone bills reaching tens of thousands of dollars annually.

Jocelyn Wildenstein began a new chapter in her life after her divorce, dating fashion designer Lloyd Klein, with whom she eventually got engaged.

In a tumultuous relationship with Lloyd Klein, Jocelyn faced legal troubles, including an arrest for assault in 2016, though they later reconciled.

In 2018, Jocelyn revealed that much of her fortune had vanished due to a forgery scandal involving a painting that was part of her divorce settlement, while another piece was auctioned for shockingly less than expected.

Following her split from Alec, she found companionship with fashion designer Lloyd Klein in 2003. Their relationship has seen its share of ups and downs, including a dramatic arrest in 2016 for an altercation that left them both in legal trouble.

Despite the chaos, the couple has persevered and remains together, currently enjoying their life in Miami.