Very sad news. Jocelyne Wildenstein, better known as the “cat woman”, died in Paris on December 31, 2024. Known to have undergone a remarkable physical transformation, the 79-year-old icon was found lifeless in the aftermath of a Parisian palace. “Initial reports from doctors called to the scene indicate that she suffered heart failure and died peacefully in her sleep”, informs the press release released by AFP. A look back at its extraordinary story.
Originally from Lausanne (Switzerland), the latter changed her life and settled in the United States after her marriage to Alec Wildenstein, in 1978. The man is a French billionaire, renowned art dealer, rumor has it that he would be passionate about felines… In order to satisfy her husband’s expectations, Jocelyne Wildenstein decides to undergo multiple cosmetic surgery operations… Her goal: to get as close as possible to the appearance of a cat. To do this, the latter modifies his entire face: from his forehead, to his chin, including his cheekbones, his nose, or even his lips… So many modifications which cost him more than 2 million euros in total. total.
A rare photo of Jocelyne Wildenstein before she became the “cat woman” revealed
Known throughout the world for her unique appearance, Jocelyne Wildenstein had become a true icon. Followed by more than a million subscribers on Instagram, she shared her daily life in images, and her face always sparked just as many reactions! On August 24, 2024, a publication that Internet users did not expect was shared on his account (today, it no longer appears there). A rare shot of her before her transformation.
On the occasion of her daughter’s 45th birthday, the New York socialite posted a souvenir photo, dating from the time of her early childhood. Still a baby, Diane Wildenstein appears snuggled in the arms of her mother, whose face is very different from the one she showed before her death. As pointed out
Madame Figaroit was shortly after this image was taken that the “cat woman” was born.
How did Jocelyne Wildenstein become the “cat woman”?
It was through a series of collagen injections and facelifts, among others, that Jocelyne Wildenstein saw her face transform. Contrary to what she wanted, all these operations took her further away from her husband than they brought her closer. Indeed, as reported The
Telegraphin 2008, Alec Wildenstein would have reacted very badly to the physical transformation of the woman who shared his life.
The first time he saw her like this, the man would have been horrified by her appearance, unable to recognize her. She, who had undergone this transformation to please him and attract him, ultimately caused the opposite effect to that expected. Faced with this failure, Jocelyne Wildenstein continued to undergo a series of cosmetic surgery operations to try to improve her new physique, in vain. ©
Shutterstock
Jocelyne Wildenstein, nicknamed the “cat woman”, died at the age of 79
“She seems to think you fix a face the same way you fix a house”, Alec Wildenstein complained at the time. In 2023, during an interview given to
Sunday TimesJocelyne Wildenstein had declared that the man (who died in 2008) had gone so far as to blame her for the failure of their marriage. Regretting no longer recognizing his wife “due to her numerous plastic surgeries”, the billionaire had filed for divorce.
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Shutterstock
Even today, their separation is considered one of the most expensive in history. At that time, Jocelyne Wildenstein had obtained a mansion in New York, a castle in France, a ranch in Kenya, an annual pension of 2.4 million dollars… Then, the years passed and the “cat woman ” had rebuilt his life. Until then, she shared the life of stylist Lloyd Klein and still led the high life!
