Tragic ‘catwoman’ Jocelyn Wildenstein’s life from enormous web value to Trump Tower row
The eccentric socialite, who earned the nickname ‘Catwoman’ because of the effects of her excessive surgeries, suffered a pulmonary embolism in Paris on New Year’s Eve
Tragic billionaire Jocelyn Wildenstein famous for her devotion to extreme plastic surgery has died aged 84.
The socialite, who earned the nickname ‘ Catwoman ’ because of her ever-evolving face, suffered a pulmonary embolism in Paris on Tuesday (31 Dec).
Born Jocelyne Alice Perisse to a middle class family in Switzerland, she had aspirations of grandeur and learned to fly and shoot big game in a bid to snare a rich husband.
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Her efforts were rewarded when she met Alec Wildenstein, the heir to a $10billion art fortune, on a dawn lion hunt who was so impressed with her hunting skills he asked to see her again the next day.
Within a year, Alec had proposed and they married in Las Vegas a short time after. They went on to have two children together.
However, the couple’s fascination with big cats contributed to the undoing of their marriage as Jocelyn became convinced her husband might find her more attractive if she became ‘more feline’.
As a result, she embarked on a series of procedures including collagen injections to her lips, cheeks and chin, at least seven facelifts and drastic eye reconstruction surgery. She even had her pigment darkened.
Despite her features becoming increasingly cat-like as a result of the treatment that cost a reported £2million in total, her husband was not impressed with her new look.
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Eventually in 1997, 20 years after they had first met, Jocelyn arrived home to their New York penthouse to find Alec in bed with a 19-year-old Russian model.
As she walked into the room, a hysterical Alec grabbed his Smith & Wesson gun and threatened to shoot her.
The couple divorced and waged a bitter battle in court over money – with Jocelyn claiming she needed a million dollars a month just to run her household.
In the aftermath, Jocelyn set a record for divorce settlements in the US and became one of America’s wealthiest women.
She reportedly secured a £2billion divorce settlement and £80million a year in maintenance – at one point owning three apartments in Trump Tower.
However, by 2018 she had filed for bankruptcy and in 2020 her Trump Tower apartments were repossessed.
From 2005, Jocelyn was reported to be dating fashion designer Lloyd Klein, 27 years her junior, and the pair became engaged in 2017.
Tributes have poured into social media with one user writing: “A life that captivated many, she will be remembered for her unique beauty and bold personality.”
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