Jocelyn Wildenstein, socialite known for extreme plastic surgery, dies aged 84

She had been dubbed 'Catwoman' by many

The news was revealed by her partner last night (2 January).

A statement read: “It is with heavy heart and with great sadness that Mr Lloyd Klein announces the unexpected death of his beloved fiancée and longtime companion, Jocelyne Wildenstein."

Klein said that “Mrs Wildenstein died peacefully in her sleep in the late afternoon of December 31st, 2024 in her … suite in Paris where the couple had taken temporary residence.”

She was dubbed 'Catwoman' in the media for her feline appearance and is famous for her cosmetic work despite previously denying having any done.

Wildenstein, was born as Jocelynnys Dayannys da Silva Bezerra Périsset in the Swiss city of Lausanne in 1940 and became a New York socialite after marrying the art dealer Alec Wildenstein with whom she had two children.

She was referred to as both Jocelyne and Jocelyn in the English-language media. 

Wildenstein was inspired by big cats to make her look more "feline" and caught the media's attention after settling for a divorce worth $2.5b with $100m instalments each year for 13 years.

She had spent time in Africa with the European film-maker Sergio Gobbi.

She told New York magazine: “Africa is a paradise. You meet people who look at life differently. They love the adventure.”

It was in Kenya where she had met her husband Alec Wildenstein, marrying him a year later.