‘Catwoman’ Jocelyn Wildenstein Passes Away at 84: A Life of Opulence, Scandal, and Transformation

Jocelyn Wildenstein, famously known as the “Catwoman,” passed away at the age of 84 on Tuesday in Paris. The Swiss socialite, celebrated and criticized for her extreme plastic surgery, reportedly died of a pulmonary embolism while napping at a Parisian palace, according to Paris Match.

Her partner, Lloyd Klein, shared the news in a statement: “It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Jocelyn Wildenstein in Paris.” She was last seen alive on December 18, looking radiant alongside Klein. Draped in a fur coat, black leggings, and sunglasses, her signature blonde curls framed her striking face, which had captivated and bewildered the public for decades.

From Modest Beginnings to a Billionaire’s Life

Born Jocelyne Périsset, Wildenstein came from humble Swiss roots before marrying into immense wealth. Her life took a transformative turn in the 1970s when she wed Alec N. Wildenstein, a billionaire art dealer and heir to the illustrious Wildenstein & Co. dynasty. Together, they built a glamorous life, including a sprawling ranch, Ol Jogi, in Kenya—a place that deeply resonated with Jocelyn’s fascination for wildlife and hunting.

Her African adventures began with an introduction to Alec during a hunting trip orchestrated by Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. Their connection was sealed when Alec skillfully shot a lion, an act followed by a ritual where Jocelyn recounted consuming part of the lion’s heart—a testament to her embrace of African mythology and the strength it symbolized.

A Decades-Long Obsession with Transformation

By the 1990s, Jocelyn’s face had become unrecognizable after a series of surgeries that left her with cat-like eyes, prominent cheekbones, and a sculpted chin. While her extreme look earned her the nickname “Catwoman,” she continuously denied undergoing cosmetic procedures, a claim her ex-husband Alec strongly disputed.

“She thought she could fix her face like it was furniture,” Alec once remarked, expressing dismay over her obsession. Jocelyn, however, countered that her surgeries were exaggerated by Alec’s public relations efforts during their tumultuous divorce proceedings.

Despite her denial, her appearance became a hallmark of her identity, capturing public fascination and making her a polarizing figure in the realms of high society and tabloids.

A Lavish Lifestyle and Stunning Wealth Loss

The Wildenstein divorce in 1999 remains one of the most expensive in history. Jocelyn secured a staggering $2.5 billion settlement and an annual payment of $100 million for 13 years. Yet, her extraordinary wealth slipped through her fingers due to her extravagant spending.

Jocelyn spared no expense on luxury items: designer clothes, dazzling jewelry, priceless art, and even exorbitant phone bills. By 2015, financial struggles loomed as her former in-laws ceased payments. Her fortune dwindled further when art pieces from her trust were discovered to be forgeries, including a purported Diego Velázquez painting.

A Tumultuous Love Life

After her divorce, Jocelyn began a long-term relationship with Lloyd Klein, a French fashion designer. Their relationship, often fraught with public drama, included highly publicized arrests. In 2016, Jocelyn was detained for allegedly slashing Klein’s face with scissors during a heated argument, while Klein faced accusations of theft after retrieving his belongings from her apartment.

Despite the turbulence, the couple reconciled and eventually became engaged, continuing their unpredictable yet enduring bond.

Jocelyn Wildenstein’s life was as extraordinary as it was contentious. From her lavish African adventures to her dramatic personal transformations and financial downfall, she remained a figure of endless intrigue. With over a million Instagram followers, she recently shared glimpses of her past, including her early days at Ol Jogi, recounting her deep connection to Africa and her late husband.

Her passing marks the end of an era for a woman who lived life on her own terms—extravagantly, unapologetically, and with an enduring allure that kept the world captivated. Jocelyn Wildenstein, the “Catwoman,” leaves behind a legacy as complex and transformative as her iconic visage.