Jocelyn Wildenstein, the 'Catwoman', has died

Jocelyn Wildenstein, the Swiss socialite whose appearance and turbulent life made her a global celebrity, has died at the age of 84. The cause of death, as announced by her long-time partner Lloyd Klein, was a pulmonary embolism. Jocelyn died on Tuesday while staying at a palace in Paris.

The path to the 'Catwoman' nickname

Jocelyn earned her notorious nickname due to her appearance, which resembled feline features. In the early 1970s, she underwent her first plastic surgery, altering the shape of her eyes and cheekbones, which spawned legends about her desire to look like a lynx. One version claims that the reason for this decision was her husband, billionaire Alec Wildenstein, having an affair with 19-year-old Russian model Elena Zharykova. Jocelyn hoped to win back her husband's attention, whose passion for big cats was well known. According to other accounts, her love for the feline family was genuine and mutual: for a time, a tamed lynx lived in their New York penthouse.

However, neither the first nor subsequent operations restored Alec's affection. The businessman recounted that during their marriage, Jocelyn repeatedly resorted to injections, lifts, implants and other alterations, ultimately failing to stop. Although she was willing to forgive his infidelities to preserve the family, Alec insisted on a divorce.

High-profile divorce and billions

In 1999, their marriage officially ended. The court proceedings brought Jocelyn not only fame but also a vast fortune. She received a lump sum of $2.5 billion, as well as annual payments of $100 million for 13 years. Alec soon married another Russian model, Lyubov Stupakova.

After the divorce, Jocelyn could afford a luxurious lifestyle. She spent money on travel, jewellery and, of course, her favourite plastic surgery. According to journalists' estimates, her obsession with surgery cost her more than $4 million. As a result of these interventions, Jocelyn's natural beauty was lost, and her face became recognisable worldwide.

Denial of surgical past and financial collapse

Despite numerous testimonies, Jocelyn claimed that her unusual appearance was due solely to genetics. In her words, her "Swiss heritage" explains all the peculiarities. She even complained that she was often mistaken for actress Brigitte Bardot.

However, Jocelyn's financial well-being eventually faded. In 2018, her lawyers filed for bankruptcy. In the last years of her life, she could no longer afford expensive operations. Jocelyn was forced to live on a social welfare benefit of $900 a month.

The legacy of a socialite

Jocelyn Wildenstein's life will remain an example of a bright but contradictory fate. Her plastic experiments and high-profile divorce made her name legendary, and her image one of the most recognisable in the history of society pages.