The Swiss-born socialite known as "Catwoman" leaves behind a legacy marked by extravagant plastic surgeries and a high-profile divorce settlement.
According to Daily Mail Online, Jocelyn Wildenstein, nicknamed "Catwoman" due to her extensive facial cosmetic procedures, passed away on Tuesday in Paris from a pulmonary embolism at age 84.
The former billionaire was last seen on December 18 in Paris, appearing healthy and stylish alongside her partner Lloyd Klein. Her death occurred while taking a nap in a Parisian palace, as reported by Paris Match, with Klein officially announcing her passing through AFP.
Wildenstein's journey to prominence began with her fascination with Africa and its wildlife, which she discovered through childhood picture books. This interest led her to the Wildenstein family ranch Ol Jogi in Kenya, where she met her future husband, Alec N. Wildenstein, through Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi.
Their first encounter included a dramatic lion hunt, where they followed tradition by eating part of the animal's heart and rubbing its blood on their necks. This unconventional beginning set the tone for their relationship, which eventually led to marriage in the 1970s.
The union with French-born American billionaire Alec Wildenstein catapulted her into extreme wealth. Their divorce in 2000 resulted in a historic settlement of $2.5 billion, plus annual payments of $100 million for 13 years, making her one of the wealthiest people globally.
Wildenstein's dramatic physical transformation through numerous cosmetic procedures earned her the nickname "Catwoman" due to her feline features, including slanted eyes and pronounced cheekbones. Her ex-husband Alec shared his perspective on her transformation, stating to Vanity Fair:
She was crazy. I would always find out last. She was thinking that she could fix her face like a piece of furniture. Skin does not work that way. But she wouldn't listen.
Despite initially denying having undergone plastic surgery, Wildenstein later acknowledged some procedures while downplaying their extent. The socialite's appearance became a subject of public fascination, contributing to her notoriety in high society circles.
Her post-divorce life was marked by financial difficulties despite the massive settlement. A significant portion of her wealth disappeared through extravagant spending on luxury items, phone bills, and continued cosmetic procedures. Legal complications arose when her ex-husband's family ceased payments in 2015.
In her later years, Wildenstein maintained a presence in social media with over 1 million Instagram followers, describing herself as an art dealer. Her relationship with fashion designer Lloyd Klein, which began in 2003, endured despite public controversies, including a 2016 incident where she was arrested for allegedly slashing his face with scissors.
The couple reconciled after their legal troubles, remaining together until her death. Their last public appearance showed Wildenstein in good spirits, wearing a fur jacket and maintaining her signature style.
Their relationship weathered numerous storms, including Klein's subsequent arrest for alleged robbery and assault while attempting to retrieve his belongings from Wildenstein's apartment. Despite these challenges, they maintained their bond until her final days.
Jocelyn Wildenstein died at age 84 in Paris, concluding a life journey that transformed her from a Swiss-born socialite to a billionaire through marriage and then to a figure of public fascination due to her extensive cosmetic procedures. Her passing on Tuesday from a pulmonary embolism marks the end of an era that saw her navigate through a record-breaking divorce settlement, financial turmoil, and persistent public attention for her distinctive appearance.
