Jocelyn Wildenstein, the Swiss socialite renowned for her dramatic plastic surgeries and tumultuous 1999 divorce, has died at the age of 84. Her partner, Lloyd Klein, confirmed to PEOPLE that she passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 31. Reports were initially shared by AFP and Paris Match.
Born Jocelyne Périsset in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1940, Jocelyn gained prominence after her marriage to Alec Wildenstein in 1977. Together, they had two children, Diane and Alec Jr. The couple’s highly publicized divorce, finalized in 1999, attracted global attention, with Jocelyn being labeled “The Bride of Wildenstein” and “Catwoman” due to her strikingly altered appearance. Alec paid Jocelyn a $2.5 billion settlement and an additional $100 million annually.
During their marriage, Jocelyn underwent numerous cosmetic procedures, which she claimed were influenced by Alec, who disliked aging. In a 1998 interview with Vanity Fair, she attributed her feline-like features to her family’s genetics, rather than entirely to surgery, stating, “The lynx has perfect eyes… My grandmother had these eyes and high cheekbones.” Alec, however, alleged she pursued surgeries independently, likening her approach to “fixing her face like furniture.”
After the divorce, Jocelyn largely retreated from the public eye. She told The Sunday Times in 2023 that Alec had painted her as a “monster” during their separation to gain an advantage. Despite her efforts to maintain a low profile, financial challenges emerged. In 2018, she filed for bankruptcy, and her Trump Tower apartments were repossessed. She later announced plans for a documentary and reality show, citing ongoing issues with her settlement.
Jocelyn’s personal life was equally complex. Since 2003, she has been in a relationship with fashion designer Lloyd Klein. Their romance faced turbulence, including a 2016 altercation that led to mutual assault charges, which were dropped in 2017. Despite the challenges, the couple reconciled and appeared together on social media in the days before her passing, celebrating the holidays in Paris.
Throughout her life, Jocelyn’s philanthropy and resilience were highlighted by those close to her. Klein remarked in a 2023 interview, “She’s known for plastic surgery, but that’s not all she achieved. She accomplished incredible things.” Jocelyn herself expressed finding joy and freedom post-divorce, embracing life without constraints.
Jocelyn Wildenstein is survived by her partner, Lloyd Klein, and her two children.
