Gina Heslop
Jocelyn Wildenstein, known worldwide as “Catwoman,” became famous during her messy, high-profile divorce from billionaire art dealer Alec Wildenstein in the 1990s.
Born in Switzerland in 1945 as Jocelynys Dayannys da Silva Bezerra Périsset, she grew up in a lower-middle-class family. From a young age, she used her social skills and relationships to move up the social ladder. She dated wealthy men, including Swiss film producer Cyril Piguet and Italian-French filmmaker Sergio Gabbi, which introduced her to glamorous circles in Paris.
Jocelyn developed practical skills as well, learning hunting and piloting. She often traveled to Africa, a place she grew to love for its adventure. During a safari in Kenya, she met her future husband, Alec Wildenstein. Their first date, a motorcycle ride up a hill, led to a romantic kiss, and in 1978 they eloped to Las Vegas.
Their marriage faced skepticism, particularly from Alec’s father, who disapproved. Despite this, Jocelyn and Alec enjoyed a 13-year relationship and had two children, Diane and Alec Jr. They lived in New York City and later in a townhouse on the Upper East Side.
Early on, Jocelyn and Alec underwent plastic surgery, but Jocelyn became especially captivated by it. Wanting to satisfy Alec’s interest in big cats, she underwent many surgeries, eventually developing a feline-like appearance that earned her nicknames like “Catwoman” and “The Lion Queen.” She even kept a pet lynx.
As Jocelyn’s appearance became more dramatic, tension grew in their marriage. In 1997, Jocelyn discovered Alec with a younger woman, leading to a messy and very public divorce that spanned two years.
Details of their lives filled the tabloids, and Jocelyn was frequently mocked for her appearance. Eventually, she received a $2.5 billion settlement and $100 million annually for 13 years, though she was prohibited from spending the money on more cosmetic surgery.
Following the divorce, Jocelyn largely stayed out of the spotlight, though she occasionally appeared in public with her new partner, fashion designer Lloyd Klein, whom she began dating in 2003. In 2017, Klein proposed to her with a 32-carat diamond ring.
Despite frequent speculation about her appearance, Klein defended her, claiming she looked the same as in her youth, even though Jocelyn reportedly spent millions on plastic surgery.
In recent years, Jocelyn has faced financial difficulties, struggling to pay her apartment mortgage and credit card debts. Despite these challenges, she remains with Klein, and they were last seen together in 2023 at a public event in Miami. As of now, there’s talk of a documentary series on her life, which could provide more insight into her extraordinary journey.
