Jocelyn Wildenstein, popularly known as “Catwoman,” rose to fame in the 1990s due to her unusual appearance and high-profile divorce from billionaire art dealer Alec Wildenstein.
For years, she maintained a silence, choosing not to publicly discuss her personal life to protect her children.
In a 2018 interview with Paper, Wildenstein explained her decision, citing a desire to shield her kids from the intense media scrutiny surrounding their family’s tumultuous events, including the death of their godfather and father, and her divorce.
Now that her children are grown, Wildenstein feels liberated to speak openly about her life. Here’s a comprehensive look at her journey, from her rise to fame to her current life.
Who is Jocelyn Wildenstein?
Jocelyn Wildenstein’s childhood in Lausanne, Switzerland, was filled with summers spent swimming in a serene lake and winters skiing in the nearby mountains.
She fondly recalls her childhood as “fantastic.”
However, it was in Paris, where she moved with her boyfriend Cyril Piguet, that she developed a passion for glamour.
Her sense of adventure also drew her to Africa, which she described as “paradise” due to its wildlife and thrill.
In 1977, Jocelyn’s life took a dramatic turn when she visited Ol Jogi, a Kenyan wildlife conservancy, and met Alec Wildenstein, a billionaire art dealer and owner of the ranch.
Their whirlwind romance began with a silent yet passionate kiss during a hunting trip, despite both being in relationships with others at the time.
Shortly after, Jocelyn returned to Paris, while Alec went back to New York, which led to a complex and dramatic love affair.
Jocelyn Wildenstein recounted to New York Magazine the romantic gestures that led to her marriage to Alec Wildenstein.
After their first meeting, they longed for each other, and Alec showered her with white orchids, filling her favorite Paris salon to excess.
He proposed over dinner, and they wed in Las Vegas on April 30, 1978, just months after meeting.
Their nearly 20-year marriage was marked by luxury, with Jocelyn boasting of their $1 million monthly expenses.
However, their lavish lifestyle was shattered when Alec filed for divorce in April 1997. The split turned ugly when Jocelyn alleged finding Alec with another woman, Yelena Jarikova, at their New York City home, leading to Alec’s arrest for waving a gun at her.
Released on his own recognizance, Alec was ordered to stay away from Jocelyn and their shared Manhattan home.
The tumultuous divorce thrust Jocelyn into the spotlight, transforming her into a household name.
Why did Jocelyn Wildenstein have so much surgery?
According to Alec Wildenstein, he and Jocelyn underwent their first joint plastic surgery procedures, his-and-hers eye lifts, approximately a year into their marriage, as reported by Vanity Fair.
While Alec seemingly stopped there, Jocelyn continued to undergo numerous surgeries.
In a striking revelation, Jocelyn admitted that one of her motivations for getting facelifts was Alec’s aversion to being with older individuals, suggesting that she felt pressured to maintain a youthful appearance to meet his expectations.
Jocelyn’s numerous plastic surgery procedures have led to her public nickname “Catwoman,” a moniker she doesn’t entirely mind.
However, she maintains that some of her distinctive facial features are inherited from her grandmother, showcasing natural “cat eyes” and high cheekbones.
Despite her insistence on their natural origins, Jocelyn’s frequent surgeries have become a defining aspect of her public image.
A friend once remarked that Jocelyn was always recovering from some procedure, highlighting the extensive nature of her cosmetic enhancements.
Is Jocelyn Wildenstein married?
Jocelyn is currently engaged to her longtime partner, fashion designer Lloyd Klein. While their relationship has been rocky at times, they are now inseparable.
The couple met at New York Fashion Week in 2003 and initially bonded over their shared love of French culture.
However, their romance hit a rough patch around 2008, with Klein alleging that Jocelyn’s mood swings became increasingly violent.
In December 2016, Klein claimed that Jocelyn attacked him, throwing a burning candle, scratching him, and attempting to stab him with scissors.
Both parties called 911, leading to their arrests, but the charges were eventually dropped due to lack of evidence.
The incident ultimately brought them closer together, and they got engaged in July 2017.
Although they had another brief altercation in November 2017, they have since reconciled and are working on their relationship.
Where is Jocelyn Wildenstein now?
Jocelyn Wildenstein faced financial difficulties, including a near-eviction from one of her apartments, leading her to file for bankruptcy protection in 2018, as reported by Page Six.
In a June 2023 interview with The Telegraph, Jocelyn attributed her financial struggles to being cut off from her substantial divorce settlement for the past eight years.
She and her fiancé, Lloyd Klein, are planning a documentary series about her life, with Klein also envisioning a movie series starring Jennifer Lawrence as a young Jocelyn and Rami Malek as Alec.
In a December 2023 interview with Interview magazine, Jocelyn shared her enthusiasm for her newfound freedom post-divorce, which has allowed her to travel extensively between Miami, New York City, Paris, and Canada.
She has also obtained her commercial pilot’s license and enjoys flying, saying, “I had a lot of fun… I found freedom, and instead of having to behave according to a program, I could suddenly have the freedom to appreciate it.”
Olekanma Favour is a resourceful, self-motivated, and result-driven writer with a passion for crafting compelling narratives and insightful content. She loves tackling complex topics and weaving engaging stories.
When she’s not writing, Olekanma enjoys immersing herself in a good book, exploring new cuisines, and discovering new cultures.