Jocelyn Wildenstein, the socialite known worldwide for her extreme cosmetic surgeries and dubbed “The Catwoman,” has passed away at 84. According to her partner, Lloyd Klein, Wildenstein died of a pulmonary embolism in Paris on Tuesday, December 31. Her passing marks the end of a controversial life that spanned a high-profile marriage, a massive fortune, and years of public fascination with her appearance.
Wildenstein first gained international notoriety in the late 1990s when she divorced her wealthy art collector husband, Alec Wildenstein, after catching him in bed with a 19-year-old Russian model. The divorce settlement, which became one of the most expensive in history, awarded Jocelyn a staggering $2.5 billion, along with $100 million annually for 13 years. With this fortune, she was one of the richest women in the world at the time. However, by 2018, Jocelyn’s financial situation had drastically changed. She filed for bankruptcy in New York, stating that her only source of income was Social Security. She also revealed that she often turned to family and friends for financial assistance to cover her living expenses.
Beyond her wealth, Wildenstein became infamous for her obsession with plastic surgery. Her appearance, which featured large eyes and high cheekbones, earned her the “Catwoman” nickname. Despite numerous reports and public speculation, Wildenstein repeatedly denied having had plastic surgery. In February 2024, she told The Sun, “I haven’t had plastic surgery. I am scared of what can happen, and I don’t like to have something heavy.”
Wildenstein’s surgeries reportedly began during her marriage to Alec, whom she claimed “hated old people.” Various accounts suggest that her goal was to resemble a feline, driven by her husband’s love for cats. It is believed that she wanted to resemble a lynx, a breed she adored and kept as a pet. In a 1998 Vanity Fair interview, she explained that the lynx’s eyes were “perfect,” and she sought to replicate them in her own features. However, despite speculation, Wildenstein consistently denied that her look was a result of surgery. She claimed her distinct features, such as her “cat eyes,” were inherited from her grandmother.
While media reports often portrayed Alec as encouraging Jocelyn’s transformation, he denied having pressured her into undergoing cosmetic procedures. Alec once told Vanity Fair, “She was crazy. I would always find out last,” referring to her desire to change her appearance. Jocelyn, in turn, supported her husband’s account, saying he never pushed her to alter her face. “He never pushed me,” she explained, adding that he frequently complimented her youthful look—“until the day you don’t look young enough!”
Jocelyn Wildenstein remained a fixture in the social scene, known for her extravagant lifestyle and the endless media scrutiny that surrounded her. Her passing has left behind a legacy of both fascination and controversy. She is survived by her daughter Diane and son Alec Jr., marking the end of a life defined by wealth, beauty, and public intrigue.