Iconic ‘Catwoman’ Jocelyn Wildenstein Dies: A Life of Glamour & Controversy

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In a stunning turn of events, Jocelyn Wildenstein, the renowned socialite whose strikingly altered appearance earned her the infamous monikers “Catwoman” and “Bride of Wildenstein,” has passed away. Her partner, Lloyd Klein, revealed that she succumbed to a pulmonary embolism in the heart of Paris.

Wildenstein, often stylized as “Jocelyne,” was a fixture in New York’s tabloids, captivating audiences with her extravagant lifestyle, tumultuous relationships, and the staggering divorce settlement that followed her split from a high-profile art dealer. Despite her legendary wealth, she claimed to have faced financial struggles, leading to claims of bankruptcy.

While Wildenstein often downplayed the extent of her cosmetic enhancements, attributing her dramatic “cat eyes” to genetics or merely changing hairstyles, she occasionally offered a cheeky nod to her many procedures in interviews.

“If you feel good with your imperfections, with your aging, then you should do nothing,” she famously told a photographer in 2006. “Otherwise, it’s all about choosing the right doctor.”

A Life of Opulence, Transformations, and a Passion for Big Cats

Born Jocelyn Périsset in Lausanne, Switzerland, her exact birth date remains a mystery—she was said to be 79 at her passing, although some sources claim she was 84. From swimming in Swiss lakes to skiing at snowy peaks, her childhood was a lavish affair inspired by her father’s love for African wildlife, which she later reminisced about in a 2023 interview.

Wildenstein moved to Paris in her early twenties, diving into the vibrant nightlife and mingling with affluent expats. Yet, her heart always yearned for Africa, where she eventually crossed paths with billionaire art dealer Alec Wildenstein during a Kenyan safari in 1977. Their whirlwind romance culminated in marriage the following year, ushering her into the opulent world of Ol Jogi, the expansive ranch owned by Alec’s family in Kenya.

Her passion for big cats blossomed at an unprecedented scale, along with her penchant for extravagant spending. After inheriting Ol Jogi, she constructed a bulletproof enclosure for two tigers, amidst the backdrop of a property boasting 200 buildings and an army of over 300 staff. Wildenstein once disclosed that she and Alec spent about $1 million monthly, and a $350,000 Chanel gown was just another day at the office for her.

Yet, her most notorious project was her own visage. Wildenstein underwent a series of extensive cosmetic surgeries, embarking on this journey just a year into her marriage. While initially seeking “his-and-hers eye-lifts,” she soon took her transformations to a whole new level. Throughout her adult life, her eyes angled towards her temples, emulating the feline grace she adored, with her skin remarkably taut and wrinkle-free well into her later years.

By 1998, however, her marriage hit rock bottom, culminating in a shocking confrontation where she found Alec in bed with another woman. The fallout led to a dramatic legal battle and accusations that included Alec aiming a loaded gun at her during a heated moment in their shared New York mansion.

Following a highly publicized trial, Alec was ordered to pay Wildenstein a staggering $2.5 billion in their divorce settlement, along with $100 million per year for 13 years. He tragically passed away in 2008.

Wildenstein’s next chapter unfolded with Lloyd Klein, a French designer who was nearly 30 years her junior. Their fateful meeting during New York Fashion Week in 2003 sparked a passionate romance, although it was often marred by conflict, leading to multiple arrests for domestic disputes.

Despite the glamour of her former life, Wildenstein’s financial woes were apparent, as she filed for bankruptcy in 2018, expressing a consistent struggle with money even after her massive divorce settlement. In late 2023, she candidly admitted to still being “broke.”

After years of shying away from the public eye, Wildenstein re-emerged later in life, attending her partner’s fashion shows while striving to protect her children from media scrutiny.

Despite the mockery she faced from tabloids, Wildenstein’s otherworldly looks eventually garnered admiration from high-fashion circles, featured in glamorous photo shoots for prestigious magazines. Her ability to maintain her extravagant style, even amidst financial strife, turned her into a camp icon, inspiring runway looks and digital tributes alike.

For all the intrigue surrounding her life, much remains shrouded in mystery—her true age, the genesis of her feline features, and the whereabouts of her fortune. Jocelyn teased an HBO series that would unveil her story in 2023, yet its release remains uncertain. Ultimately, she professed that the opinions of others didn’t faze her.

“I have nothing to prove,” she declared in a 2018 interview. “In the end, I don’t care.”