Jocelyn Wildenstein, the eccentric socialite famously known for her extensive cosmetic surgeries, has died at the age of 84. Wildenstein, often referred to as ‘Catwoman’ due to her striking feline-like facial features, became a global sensation for her controversial surgeries, which included facelifts that gave her high cheekbones and distinctive ‘cat eyes.’
Despite her noticeable transformations, Wildenstein consistently denied undergoing plastic surgery. In past interviews, she maintained that she had never undergone such procedures, expressing fear of their potential consequences. In an interview with The Sun, she stated, “I haven’t had plastic surgery, I am scared of what can happen and I don’t like to have something heavy, sometimes it is a bit heavy and terrible.”
Her death was confirmed by her fiancé, French couturier Lloyd Klein, who expressed his sorrow in a statement to AFP, saying, “Her partner Lloyd Klein is saddened to announce the death of Jocelyn Wildenstein in Paris.”
Klein and Wildenstein became engaged in 2017, with Klein presenting her with an extravagant 32-carat diamond ring. The couple’s engagement came after a period of Wildenstein’s personal life drawing considerable public interest.
Born Jocelyne Périsset, Wildenstein’s marriage to French billionaire businessman Alec Wildenstein in 1978 became highly publicized. After 21 years together, their marriage ended dramatically in 1999 when Wildenstein discovered her husband with a model in their New York home. The situation escalated, and Alec allegedly threatened her with a firearm, leading to his brief incarceration. Their divorce was one of the most expensive in history, with Wildenstein receiving a staggering settlement of around £2 billion and £80 million annually in maintenance.
Following her divorce, Wildenstein entered into a relationship with Lloyd Klein in 2003, whom she met during New York Fashion Week. She was last seen with Klein on December 18 in Paris, where they were reportedly enjoying a public outing.
Wildenstein also made headlines in 2023 when she shared a teenage photo of herself, claiming that her high cheekbones were natural and accusing critics of altering images to exaggerate her transformations.
Reports indicate that Wildenstein passed away from a pulmonary embolism (PE) in Paris. A PE occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs and can be life-threatening. Symptoms include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and coughing up blood. She was in a Parisian palace at the time of her death, according to Paris Match.
Jocelyn Wildenstein’s extraordinary life and transformation captured the attention of people worldwide, leaving behind a lasting legacy in both popular culture and the realm of celebrity surgeries.
