Jocelyn Wildenstein, the Swiss socialite whose life was defined by her dramatic appearance and her controversial marriage, has passed away at the age of 84. She was popularly known for her cat-like facial features, which made her a subject of fascination to the public. While some admired her resilience, others harshly criticized her for the choices that led to her fame.
Jocelyn Périsset was born on August 5, 1940, in Lausanne, Switzerland; she had a normal childhood in a town surrounded by lakes and mountains. However, in her 20s, she left her home and moved to Paris, where she mingled with wealthy circles and dreamed of a luxurious life. Her dreams finally came to pass when she met Alec Wildenstein, a billionaire art dealer whom she married in 1978. After her marriage, Jocelyn’s life was constantly plagued with the many rumors surrounding her extensive cosmetic surgeries.
Catwoman Jocelyn Wildenstein was constantly accused of extensive cosmetic surgeries
Jocelyn’s facial transformation began in the early years of her marriage. Many claimed that she initially started with hardly noticeable procedures, but over time, she subjected herself to more extensive and complicated cosmetic surgeries. The slanted eyes, prominent cheekbones, and tightly pulled skin that became her signature look were said to be inspired by her love of big cats. Her looks made the public start referring to her as “Catwoman.” Although she constantly denied having significant plastic surgery, she was not believed. She insisted her appearance was natural and even dismissed Botox and fillers, saying she only tried them a few times and disliked the results. In interviews, the Catwoman attributed her striking features to her Swiss heritage, “If you look at my grandmother’s pictures, you’ll see the same eyes and high cheekbones.”
Despite her constant denials, her friends and close associates believed she went through these facial reconstruction surgeries to please her husband, Alec, who they claimed was fascinated by feline features. But, In a 1998 interview, Alec criticized her obsession with surgery, saying, “She thought she could fix her face like furniture. But skin doesn’t work that way.”
Catwoman held troubling relationships
Jocelyn met Alec Wildenstein during a safari in Kenya in 1977. They married a year later, and she entered a life of wealth and extravagance. The couple lived on Ol Jogi, a huge ranch in Kenya owned by Alec’s family, where Jocelyn developed a love for big cats and African wildlife. The ranch has luxurious amenities, including enclosures for tigers and hundreds of staff. Despite their shared interests, the marriage was not a pleasant one. By the late 1990s, their relationship had gotten bad. It even worsened in 1998 when Jocelyn discovered Alec in bed with another woman, which led to a confrontation. She claimed Alec pointed a gun at her, and the police later arrested the billionaire.
Their divorce proceedings were also dramatic and widely publicized. Jocelyn was awarded a $2.5 billion settlement and $100 million annually for the next 13 years. In spite of the massive settlement she received, she still faced financial struggles. By 2018, she had filed for bankruptcy, claiming to be broke. Catwoman also had another troubling relationship with Lloyd Klein, a French fashion designer almost 30 years younger than her. Their relationship was filled with public fights, arrests, and reconciliations. It appeared like Jocelyn liked the drama and spotlight. Despite their fights and disagreements, Lloyd always defended her looks, “She has always looked like this. People don’t understand her beauty.”
While Catwoman’s life was filled with challenges, she remained unapologetic and lived on her own terms. In a rare 2018 interview, she said, “If you feel good with yourself, that’s all that matters. I have nothing to prove.”