Jocelyne Wildenstein, the Swiss-born socialite famously known as “Catwoman” due to her extensive cosmetic surgeries, has passed away at the age of 79, her partner confirmed on Wednesday.
In a statement, fashion designer Lloyd Klein expressed deep sorrow over Wildenstein’s unexpected death, describing her passing as “with great sadness” and noting that she died peacefully in her sleep. Klein explained that she passed away on December 31, 2024, in their temporary Paris residence, where they had been staying since August of that year.
“I tried to wake her from a nap to get ready for New Year’s Eve dinner, but she was unresponsive,” Klein shared. “Early reports from the doctors who arrived at the scene indicated that she had suffered heart failure and passed away peacefully in her sleep.”
Born Jocelyne Perisset in Switzerland in 1945, Wildenstein rose to fame as a prominent New York socialite after marrying art dealer Alec Wildenstein, with whom she had two children. Following their bitter divorce in the late 1990s, she retained the Wildenstein surname. Despite some media outlets incorrectly reporting her age as 84, Wildenstein had previously clarified the confusion, attributing it to a mix-up with her ex-husband’s birth year, 1940.
Over the years, Wildenstein became known for her obsession with cosmetic surgery, earning the nickname “Catwoman” due to the feline-like appearance of her eyes, which she had altered through various procedures. She amassed over a million followers on Instagram, where she often shared glimpses into her life.
In recent interviews, Wildenstein refuted claims that her surgeries were an attempt to retain her ex-husband. She had received a staggering US$2.5 billion in the divorce settlement, one of the largest in history. Wildenstein was candid about her desire to modify her appearance, admitting that she had wanted thicker lips, but denied changing her face for any particular reason.
While living between New York and Miami, Wildenstein had recently posted a video on December 23, 2024, showing herself and Klein posing for photographers outside the Ritz Paris to the tune of Wham’s “Last Christmas.”
Klein, who was 21 years her junior, shared how their relationship began at New York Fashion Week in 2001 when Wildenstein attended one of his fashion shows. They soon became inseparable, and Klein reflected on their bond with affection. “Jocelyne was my best friend, my partner, my fiancé,” he said. “She had a zest for life and a wicked sense of humor.”
Wildenstein’s passing marks the end of a complex and public life that blended wealth, fame, and a passionate pursuit of self-transformation.
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