Jocelyn Wildenstein, Famed ‘Catwoman,’ Dies in Paris

Jocelyn Wildenstein, the Swiss-born socialite whose striking appearance earned her the nickname “Catwoman,” has passed away in Paris.

Her partner, fashion designer Lloyd Klein, confirmed her death, attributing it to a pulmonary embolism.

“It is with heavy heart and with great sadness that Mr Lloyd Klein announces the unexpected death of his beloved fiancée and longtime companion, Jocelyne Wildenstein,” the fashion designer said in an English-language statement sent to the Agence France-Presse news agency.

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 had taken temporary residence.”

Born Jocelyne Périsset in Lausanne, Switzerland, Wildenstein rose to international fame due to her dramatic facial transformations, reportedly inspired by her love for felines. She underwent extensive cosmetic procedures during her marriage to Alec Wildenstein, a billionaire art dealer. The couple tied the knot in 1978 and had two children, Diane and Alec Jr. However, their union ended in a highly publicized divorce in 1999, which awarded her a record-breaking $2.5 billion settlement.

Despite the immense wealth from her divorce, Wildenstein’s later years were marked by financial challenges. In 2018, she declared bankruptcy, stating that she relied on Social Security and the support of friends and family to make ends meet.

Wildenstein began her relationship with Klein in 2003, and the two became engaged in 2017. Their partnership, though enduring, was not without controversy, with occasional legal disputes and media scrutiny surrounding their personal lives.

Often denying speculation about her numerous surgeries, Wildenstein attributed her distinctive appearance to her heritage and personal style. Her life, filled with opulence and public intrigue, left a lasting impression on both her admirers and critics.

As the world reflects on her life, Jocelyn Wildenstein is remembered not just for her extraordinary looks but also for her resilience in the face of challenges, marking the end of an era for a truly unique public figure.