Jocelyn Wildenstein, better known as the real-life “Catwoman,” was one of the most infamous socialites in New York City. Known for her extensive cosmetic surgeries and crazy-rich lifestyle, Jocelyn captured the world’s attention, becoming a symbol of what an extreme mix of wealth and plastic surgery can do to a person. This is her story.
The Swiss Girl
Jocelyn Wildenstein was born Jocelyne Périsset in Lausanne, Switzerland, on August 5, 1940. Raised in a modest household, her early years showed little hint of the dramatic life she would later live. In her early twenties, she began dating prominent men, including Swiss filmmaker Cyril Piguet and Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi, setting the stage for her entry into elite circles.
Meeting Alec Wildenstein
Jocelyn’s life changed when she met Alec Wildenstein, a billionaire art dealer and heir to the Wildenstein dynasty, during a safari in Africa in the 1970s. Their mutual fascination with wildlife and art sparked a whirlwind romance. The couple married in 1978, shooting Jocelyn into a world of massive wealth and influence.
Entering High Society
After her marriage to Alec, Jocelyn quickly adapted to her new life among the wealthy elite. She attended prestigious galas and became a regular at exclusive art auctions and charity events. She became a pretty recognizable figure in high society, where she began being known for her distinct sense of style.
A Life of Luxury
The Wildensteins’ massive fortune enabled Jocelyn to have a life with practically no limits. Jocelyn lived in palatial homes, including a townhouse in New York City and a wildlife reserve in Kenya named Ol Jogi. Her days were filled with designer shopping sprees, elaborate parties, and vacations, in stark contrast to her modest upbringing.
Beginning of Cosmetic Transformations
During her marriage, Jocelyn began experimenting with cosmetic surgery. She was reportedly inspired by Alec’s admiration for big cats and sought to emulate their feline features. These early procedures marked the start of a journey that would define her public image.
Becoming Catwoman
As Jocelyn started getting more and more procedures done, she started to get a lot of media attention. Many tabloids began to dub her the “Catwoman,” mainly because of her high cheekbones, exaggerated eyes, and other cosmetic procedures that only made her look more like a cat than a human.
Cracks in the Marriage
By the early 1990s, cracks began to appear in Jocelyn and Alec’s marriage. Reports of infidelity and arguments became frequent, and their once-shared interests seemed to go away. According to some media reports, Jocelyn’s increasingly “crazy” procedures were one of the reasons behind the problems in their marriage.
The Infamous Confrontation
In 1997, Jocelyn discovered Alec with another woman in their New York home, leading to a heated confrontation. This was the first time the cracks in their marriage became public information, and it would only make her more infamous in the media.
The High-Profile Divorce
Jocelyn and Alec’s divorce quickly became one of the most talked-about cases of the decade. Court hearings revealed their insane spending habits and marital conflicts, showing that even the most extravagant lives aren’t free of troubles. Media outlets followed almost every development.
Her Husband’s Response
Alec Wildenstein cited Joselyn’s overuse of plastic surgery as one of the reasons behind their marriage falling apart. He said she treated her face as if it was a piece of furniture, something she could just fix whenever she wanted. He warned her against this, saying “Skin doesn’t work that way”.
Record-Breaking Settlement
In 1999, Jocelyn secured a record-breaking divorce settlement of $2.5 billion, along with an annual $100 million payment for 13 years. She was basically set for life with this settlement, and she was no longer just spending her family’s money, she was now in full control over her finances.
Post-Divorce Lifestyle
While most people would’ve rode off into the sunset with the kind of money Joselyn earned from her settlement, her reality was quite the opposite. She continued her lavish spending, acquiring multimillion-dollar properties, designer clothing, and luxury vehicles. However, her extravagant lifestyle foreshadowed financial difficulties that would arise years later.
Relationship with Lloyd Klein
In the early 2000s, Jocelyn began a relationship with fashion designer Lloyd Klein. The couple made numerous public appearances together, often drawing attention due to their age difference and their on-again, off-again dynamic. Their relationship would later become a frequent topic in tabloids.
The Scissors Incident
In 2016, Jocelyn Wildenstein was arrested after an alleged altercation with her partner, Lloyd Klein, in their New York apartment. Reports stated that Jocelyn attacked Klein with scissors during a heated argument, leaving visible scratches on his face. Klein reportedly had to lock himself in a closet to avoid further harm.
Dropped Charges
Klein later claimed the incident was blown out of proportion and the charges were eventually dropped. The couple ended up reconciling, although the incident was enough to burst her back into the spotlight.
Financial Troubles
Despite receiving billions from her divorce and receiving hundreds of millions from Alec’s family, Joselyn ended up burning through most of her money towards the end of her life. In 2018, she declared bankruptcy, revealing assets of less than $50,000 and debts exceeding $6 million.
Being Cut Off
One of the main reasons that Joselyn faced so many financial difficulties was the complicated trust that was set up by the Wildenstein family to control her fortune. She didn’t have a lot of control over her own wealth. On top of that, she was cut off from her yearly $100 million payments from the family in 2015.
Selling Her House
Not being able to pay the bills, Jocelyn was eventually forced to sell her marital home in New York City for $13 million. She got the house in her divorce settlement and made it her primary residence following it. Some of her bills in that house included $60,000 yearly for simply her telephone bill, and up to $500,000 in just wine costs.
Public Denials
Despite the obvious results of her procedures, Jocelyn has never admitted to going under the knife in her life. She said that her look is simply the result of her Swiss heritage and natural aging. Most people didn’t buy that excuse.
Cat Eyes
While she claims her looks are natural, Jocelyn did once slip up and admit to a multi-million dollar surgery to reshape her eyes to look more like a cat.
Her Iconic Style
Aside from all the controversies and media frenzies, Jocelyn also stands out as a style icon in her own right. She’s one of the most well-known figures in the New York City haute couture scene, and it’s safe to say she stood out in nearly every event she’s attended.
Life Away From The Spotlight
In her later years, Jocelyn took a step back from the public eye and avoided interacting with the media. She focused on personal pursuits and enjoyed a quieter life, even though a lot of the media still continued to hound her.
Death in 2024
On the last day of 2024, Jocelyn Wildenstein passed away from a pulmonary embolism while staying at a hotel in Paris. She was 84 years old and survived by her fiance. Although Jocelyn may have met her end, her story doesn’t exactly end here.
Not Alone
While Joselyn is often the poster child of “bad plastic surgery,” she’s definitely not alone. Many others have been “inspired” by her look, whether intentionally or not. A lot of celebrities who go overboard with plastic surgery, like Joan Rivers or Kylie Jenner, tend to get compared to the infamous “Catwoman,” often in a negative light. But the point is that Joselyn has found a place in the cultural psyche of Hollywood, and her impact is going to be felt for years to come.