Jocelyn Wildenstein, famously known as “Catwoman,” has lived a life filled with intrigue, opulence, and controversy.
Born Jocelyne Périsset in Lausanne, Switzerland, she rose from humble beginnings to become a symbol of extreme reinvention and self-expression.
Wildenstein gained global fame for her striking feline-like facial features, which she attributed to genetics and minimal cosmetic interventions.
Despite persistent rumors, she denied undergoing extensive plastic surgery, claiming to have only had Botox twice in her lifetime.
Her dramatic appearance, combined with her extravagant lifestyle, made her an international sensation, followed by over 1.1 million fans on Instagram.
Jocelyn married French billionaire art dealer Alec Wildenstein in 1978, and their union was anything but typical.
The couple reportedly spent $1 million monthly on their luxurious lifestyle, marked by exotic vacations and lavish properties.
However, their marriage took a dramatic turn in 1997 when Jocelyn discovered Alec with a young model in their New York home.
The confrontation escalated, leading to Alec’s arrest after he allegedly threatened Jocelyn with a firearm.
Their subsequent divorce was one of the most expensive in history, with Jocelyn receiving a $2.5 billion settlement and $100 million annually for 13 years.
Following the divorce, Jocelyn’s life continued to capture public attention, but financial difficulties began to emerge.
In 2018, she filed for bankruptcy, citing debts that outweighed her assets, despite her massive divorce settlement.
Her financial woes were further compounded by legal disputes, including the foreclosure of her Trump World Tower apartment.
In her personal life, Jocelyn found companionship with fashion designer Lloyd Klein, whom she met in 2003 during Paris Fashion Week.
Their relationship endured despite publicized altercations, including Jocelyn’s 2016 arrest for allegedly assaulting Klein, a charge later dropped.
Over the years, she remained a controversial figure, occasionally addressing misconceptions about her appearance in interviews.
In a statement to The Sun, she downplayed her feline-like features, attributing them to her Swiss heritage and different hairstyles.
On December 31, 2024, Jocelyn Wildenstein’s life came to a sudden and unexpected end in Paris.
Her longtime partner, Lloyd Klein, revealed that they had been preparing to celebrate New Year’s Eve together.
“We had a nice happy hour that evening and took a nap before getting dressed for the celebration,” Klein told People.
However, when Klein awoke, he found that Jocelyn had passed away peacefully in her sleep.
Jocelyn’s health had appeared impeccable in the days leading up to her death, Klein recalled.
He mentioned their recent dinner at the Ritz and attendance at Paris Fashion Week, noting, “Everything was good, everything was good.”
The cause of her death has now been confirmed as a pulmonary embolism, a deadly condition where a blood clot blocks an artery in the lung.
Jocelyn had been suffering from phlebitis, an inflammation of the veins that contributed to the fatal blood clot.
Klein shared that her legs had been “very, very swollen,” leading to blocked blood flow and a lack of oxygen to her brain.
Despite the challenges she faced, Jocelyn Wildenstein remained a figure of fascination, known for her resilience and bold individuality.
Her passing marks the end of an extraordinary life, leaving a legacy of intrigue and a story that continues to captivate.
Featured Image Credit: (Instagram/ @jocelynewildenstein)
