Jocelyn Wildenstein, the infamous New York socialite known for her feline-inspired looks, has died. Her partner, fashion designer Lloyd Klein, confirmed her death in Paris. The cause? A pulmonary embolism. Her exact age is a mystery, but Klein revealed she was 79. Other reports suggest she might have been 84.
“Catwoman” and her tabloid Fame
Wildenstein earned her nickname, “Catwoman,” for her unmistakable, surgery-enhanced features. Her story captivated tabloids for decades. Born in Lausanne, Switzerland, Jocelyn described her childhood as “fantastic.” She grew up loving animals and Africa. In fact, her passion for wildlife led her to Alec Wildenstein, her billionaire husband, whom she met in Africa. The Wildenstein family even owned a Kenyan ranch with over 2,000 protected animals.
A lavish Marriage
Jocelyn and Alec married in Las Vegas in 1978. Right after tying the knot, they flew to Texas to work on building one of America’s largest private art collections. For two decades, they lived extravagantly, spending about $1 million every month. They raised two children in a life of opulence.
Scandal and Divorce Drama
However, the glamorous façade didn’t last. Their marriage crumbled after nearly 20 years. In 1997, Jocelyn reportedly caught Alec in bed with another woman. The explosive revelation sparked a bitter two-year divorce battle. She told police that Alec waved a gun at her, leading to his arrest. The court barred him from returning to their shared Manhattan home. The New York tabloids couldn’t get enough of the scandal.
Plastic Surgery Rumors
Rumors swirled that Alec had pushed Jocelyn into her dramatic plastic surgeries. She allegedly wanted a feline look to please him. People magazine reported that Jocelyn claimed Alec disliked aging people. Yet, Alec denied encouraging the surgeries. “She was crazy,” he told Vanity Fair. He accused her of treating her face like a piece of furniture. Meanwhile, Jocelyn alleged that Alec planted false stories about her surgeries to gain an upper hand during the divorce. She claimed he even hired a plastic surgeon to vouch for the rumors.
A record-breaking Settlement
In the end, Jocelyn walked away with an eye-popping settlement. She received $2.5 billion upfront, plus $100 million annually for 13 years. But her financial fairy tale didn’t last. By 2018, she declared bankruptcy. In a 2023 interview with The Telegraph, she revealed that Alec’s family had cut off her payments in 2015, seven years after Alec’s death from prostate cancer.
Love and Controversy with Lloyd Klein
Jocelyn’s love life continued to make headlines. She started dating Lloyd Klein in 2003. Their fiery relationship kept tabloids busy. In 2016, Jocelyn was arrested for slashing Klein’s face with scissors during a heated argument. She also allegedly threw a burning candle at him. Despite the drama, the couple reconciled. By 2017, they were engaged and planning a future together.
Plans for the Future
Financial struggles didn’t stop Jocelyn from dreaming big. She and Klein announced plans for a documentary series about her life. Even in her later years, she remained a figure of fascination. Jocelyn Wildenstein’s life was as dramatic and colorful as her tabloid nickname. From African safaris to Manhattan courtrooms, she lived unapologetically—and always in the spotlight.
