Legendary Socialite Jocelyn Wildenstein, Icon of Art and Plastic Surgery, Dies
Jocelyn Wildenstein, the Swiss-born billionaire and socialite who captivated the world with her striking looks and tumultuous life, has passed away at the age of 84. Her dramatic story and eye-catching aesthetic kept her in the limelight for decades. Her partner, the renowned fashion designer Lloyd Klein, confirmed her peaceful passing in her sleep from a pulmonary embolism on December 31, 2024.
Jocelyn became a symbol of both the extravagance and resilience found in the art and social elite. Her highly publicized divorce from billionaire art dealer Alec Wildenstein in 1999 was a sensational spectacle that dominated the tabloids. With her feline-like features, she was a familiar face at art fairs, exhibition openings, and glamorous red-carpet events around the globe, establishing herself as a celebrity in her own right.
Born Jocelyne Périsset in 1940 in the picturesque city of Lausanne, Switzerland, Jocelyn’s journey took a romantic turn when she eloped in 1977 with Alec Wildenstein, heir to an illustrious dynasty of art dealers. Together, they welcomed two children, Diane and Alec Jr. However, their marriage, filled with opulence, ended in one of the largest divorce settlements in history, with Jocelyn walking away with a staggering $2.5 billion and a $100 million annual payment.
Her distinctive appearance led to her being nicknamed “The Bride of Wildenstein” and “Catwoman.” Jocelyn often pushed back against the media’s portrayal, claiming her features were inherited. “The lynx has the best eyes to keep it at the top of the pecking order,” she told Vanity Fair in 1998. “If I show you pictures of my grandmother, you’ll see these eyes—cat eyes—and high cheekbones.”
The divorce cast a long shadow over her life as both she and Alec exchanged sharp accusations. Jocelyn alleged that Alec’s aversion to aging contributed to their marital strife, while he argued that her obsession with cosmetic procedures was excessive. “She thought she could fix her face like a piece of furniture,” he remarked. Following their split, Jocelyn largely withdrew from the public eye, though financial difficulties occasionally dragged her back into the spotlight. Accustomed to a lavish lifestyle costing her $1 million a month, she filed for bankruptcy in 2018 and lost three luxury apartments in Trump Tower as a result.
Despite these setbacks, Jocelyn remained resilient, embarking on new ventures such as documentary and reality show projects. “What happened to me was I found freedom,” she shared with The Sunday Times in 2023. “Instead of going through a preconception, I could suddenly appreciate life.”
Lloyd Klein sought to redefine Jocelyn’s legacy in interviews, focusing on her charitable work and personal achievements instead of her infamous reputation for undergoing plastic surgery. “She accomplished incredible things in her life,” he insisted.
In a 2023 interview with Interview Magazine, Klein reflected on their relationship, which, despite its ups and downs—including a highly publicized altercation in 2016 that led to dropped assault charges—endured with a bond that transcended public scrutiny.
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