The Swiss-born socialite Jocelyn Wildenstein, famously known as “Catwomen” due to her extreme plastic surgeries, has passed away at the age of 84. Initial reports indicated that she suffered from heart failure.
Her husband Klein said that “Mrs. Wildenstein died peacefully in her sleep in the late afternoon of December 31st, 2024, in her suite in Paris, where the couple has taken temporary residence.”
Born Jocelyne Perisset on August 5, 1940, in Lausanne, Switzerland, Wildenstenin’s life was marked by her lavish lifestyle and a series of highly publicized cosmetic procedures to achieve a feline appearance.
This transformation was reportedly motivated by her desire to please her then-husband Alec Wildenstein, a billionaire art dealer.
The couple married in 1978 but divorced in the late 1990s in one of the most expensive divorce settlements in history, amounting to $25 billion and $100 million each year for 13 years afterwards.
She spent her time in Africa with European filmmaker Sergio Gobbi, met her husband on safari in Kenya, and married him a year later in Las Vegas.
She spent her 2 million euros on surgeries to please her husband, as he loved big cats. She also kept a Lynx as a pet, telling Vanity Fair “The lynx has perfect eyes.”
Wildenstein’s surgeries become a significant part of her identity and public persona. Her husband told Vanity Fair, “She was crazy. I would always find out last. She thought she could fix her face like a piece of furniture. Skin does not work that way. But she wouldn’t listen.”
Despite all warnings about the limits of cosmetic surgery, she remained determined to alter her appearance. The media often called her “the bride of Wildenstein,” highlighting the dramatic changes to her face that drew both fascination and criticism.
Apart from her surgeries, Wildenstein was known for her wealth and social connections. Her life included relationships with influential figures and a penchant for luxury that kept her in the limelight.
She also engaged in philanthropic efforts, including establishing water sources and veterinary clinics in Africa.
Klein described their last moments together as joyful; they celebrated New Year’s Eve preparations just hours before her passing.
He reported that she appeared healthy two weeks prior and had enjoyed various social events leading up to her death. However, he later revealed that she had been suffering from phlebitis, which may have contributed to her sudden decline.
Klein expressed profound grief over her loss, stating that an “icon is gone,” reflecting on both their connection and the impact she had on popular culture.