Controversial and fascinating icon of international society, Jocelyn Wildenstein, nicknamed “Catwoman” for her grotesque feline features achieved through numerous plastic surgeries, has passed away in Paris at the age of 84, victim of a pulmonary embolism. The news was announced by her partner, Lloyd Klein, who described the loss as “an immense tragedy.”
Born in Lausanne on September 7, 1945, Wildenstein became famous due to her physical transformation, resulting from extreme plastic surgery that cost her millions of dollars. Despite the nickname and numerous criticisms, she always denied being addicted to surgery, instead claiming that her features came from her family’s genetic heritage.
After marrying Alec Wildenstein, a French billionaire and art dealer, in 1978 during a love affair in Las Vegas, she became a familiar face among New York’s elite. However, their 21-year marriage ended abruptly in 1998 with what is considered one of the most expensive divorces in American history: a settlement that granted her about $2.48 billion and an annual payment of $99.2 million.
Thanks to this vast fortune, the “Catwoman” was able to maintain a lavish lifestyle, buying three apartments in Trump Tower and attending exclusive events. In 2003, she met Lloyd Klein, a fashion designer and long-term partner, with whom she got engaged in 2017. The proposal came with a 32-carat ring, symbolizing a love that, despite the skepticism of many, lasted over two decades.
With 1.1 million followers on Instagram, Wildenstein became a symbol of the pursuit of aesthetic perfection and the transformative power of cosmetic surgery. Her life, filled with excess and glamour, sparked debates and left an indelible mark on the world of celebrities and pop culture.
