Jocelyne Wildenstein, famous socialite and member of New York’s high society, died in Paris on December 31 at the age of 84. She was nicknamed the “Cat Woman” due to her numerous cosmetic surgeries and recently spoke on the set of Don’t touch my position on C8, recalling her obsession with becoming more “cat-like” to please her husband Alec Wildenstein, who has a passion for cats. This radical metamorphosis had a profound impact on people’s minds and fueled media fascination with his person.
Born on August 5, 1940 in Lausanne, Switzerland, Jocelyne Périsset married billionaire Alec Wildenstein, with whom she led an extravagant everyday life. However, their union ended in a resounding divorce in 1998, marked by scandal and a family fortune estimated at $10 billion. During this separation, Jocelyne acquired several prestigious assets, including a castle in France, a ranch in Kenya and a $2.4 million annual pension. Despite this agreement, she ran into financial difficulties in her later years.
In the 1980s, Jocelyne Wildenstein undertook a drastic change in her appearance and spent almost 2 million euros on surgical procedures. The stated goal was to look more like a cat in the hopes of rekindling her husband’s flame. However, this oft-criticized transformation sparked mixed reactions, particularly as Alec Wildenstein was said to be horrified when he learned the result. Jocelyne had always disputed this version of the facts.
Despite her controversies, Jocelyne Wildenstein was an essential figure in society and the media. She is very active on social media and regularly shares insights into her glamorous life. The deceased’s last public appearance was a week ago, when she was photographed in the chic districts of Paris, surrounded by paparazzi.
The exact causes of death are still unknown to this day. Jocelyne Wildenstein leaves behind two children, Diane and Alec Jr., and a complex legacy that combines extravagance, scandal and fascination.
