According to her boyfriend, Jocelyne Wildenstein, a Swiss socialite and cosmetic surgery enthusiast who was dubbed “Catwoman” because of her extensive plastic surgery, passed away on Wednesday.

In a statement provided to the news agency Agence France-Presse in English, the fashion designer wrote, “It is with a heavy heart and with great sadness that Mr. Lloyd Klein announces the unexpected passing of his beloved fiancée and longtime companion, Jocelyne Wildenstein.”

According to Klein, “Mrs. Wildenstein passed away quietly in her sleep in her suite in Paris, where the couple had temporarily taken up residence, in the late afternoon of December 31st, 2024.”

Born Jocelynnys Dayannys da Silva Bezerra Persist, Wildenstein rose to prominence as a socialite in New York after marrying Alec Wildenstein, a member of the French art and thoroughbred racing family, and having two children together.

Jocelyn Wildenstein Young

Jocelyn Wildenstein, in her younger years, was a strikingly beautiful woman known for her glamorous lifestyle and socialite status. Born on August 5, 1940, in Lausanne, Switzerland, she moved to the United States, where she married billionaire art dealer Alec Wildenstein. During the early years of their marriage, Jocelyn became a well-known figure in New York’s elite social circles, often attending high-profile events and showcasing her natural beauty.

Before her extensive cosmetic surgeries, Jocelyn Wildenstein had a youthful, elegant look with long, flowing hair, sharp features, and radiant skin. Her appearance reflected the classic beauty standards of the time, and she was often photographed in chic fashion and surrounded by luxury.

Jocelyn was admired for her sophisticated presence, but as time passed, she began undergoing a series of surgeries. The reasons behind these transformations have been the subject of much speculation, with some claiming they were an effort to keep up with the beauty standards of her wealthy husband. Over time, however, Jocelyn’s appearance became increasingly altered, with more dramatic changes to her face that garnered media attention and led to her becoming a controversial figure in the public eye.

In her younger years, Jocelyn Wildenstein was a symbol of beauty, grace, and luxury—characteristics that helped her become a fixture in high society. However, her journey through cosmetic procedures would later shape her legacy, shifting her from a glamorous socialite to a figure associated with extreme beauty transformations.

Jocelyn Wildenstein Daughter

Jocelyn Wildenstein’s daughter, Ariel Wildenstein, is the child of Jocelyn and her former husband, Alec Wildenstein, a wealthy art dealer. Ariel was born in 1979 and has largely stayed out of the public eye, maintaining a more private life compared to her mother.

While Jocelyn Wildenstein gained widespread media attention for her striking cosmetic surgeries and glamorous lifestyle, Ariel has largely stayed out of the spotlight, living a more low-key existence. There is little information available about her personal life, as she has chosen not to be involved in the media frenzy that often surrounds her mother.

The Wildenstein family, known for their wealth and prominence, has remained a subject of public curiosity, but Ariel herself has kept her life away from the media, with very few details about her career or personal relationships being publicly available.

Jocelyn Wildenstein net worth

As of 2025, Jocelyn Wildenstein’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million. However, this figure can fluctuate based on various factors, including her ongoing lifestyle and legal matters. Wildenstein inherited significant wealth through her marriage to billionaire art dealer Alec Wildenstein, but their divorce in 1999 led to a large settlement.

In the divorce, Jocelyn was awarded a substantial sum, including a $2.5 billion settlement, along with $100 million in cash and an additional $10 million annually for the upkeep of her lifestyle. Despite the vast settlement, much of her wealth has reportedly been spent on her lifestyle, luxury living, and legal battles, leading her to have a relatively modest net worth by comparison.

Over the years, Jocelyn Wildenstein has been known for her extravagant spending and has been involved in several legal disputes, which have also affected her finances. While she is no longer as wealthy as she once was, Jocelyn Wildenstein remains a notable figure in popular culture.

Jocelyn Wildenstein Catwoman

Jocelyn Wildenstein earned the nickname “Catwoman” due to her dramatic and extensive facial surgeries, which gave her a feline-like appearance. Over the years, Wildenstein underwent several cosmetic procedures, including eyelid lifts, skin-tightening surgeries, and cheek implants, all of which resulted in her striking, cat-inspired features. Her altered appearance, particularly her wide eyes and tight skin, became highly recognizable and led the media to compare her to a cat or the comic book character, Catwoman.

Wildenstein’s transformation began in the 1990s and was reportedly driven by a desire to retain her youth and meet the aesthetic preferences of her then-husband, billionaire Alec Wildenstein. She is often portrayed in the media as a cautionary tale about the extremes of cosmetic surgery, as her transformations sparked both fascination and controversy.

Despite the public attention and the nickname “Catwoman,” Jocelyn Wildenstein has defended her decisions regarding her appearance, claiming that the surgeries were part of her journey. However, her look continues to be a subject of both admiration and criticism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Jocelyn Wildenstein called Catwoman

Jocelyn Wildenstein is often called “Catwoman” because of the feline-like features she developed following extensive cosmetic surgeries. These surgeries altered her face with wide eyes, lift eyelids, and tight skin, which resembled the appearance of a cat.

What happened to Jocelyn Wildenstein’s wealth after her divorce?

After her high-profile divorce from billionaire Alec Wildenstein in 1999, Jocelyn received a substantial financial settlement, including $2.5 billion, along with $100 million annually. Despite this, her wealth has reportedly decreased over the years due to lavish spending and legal issues.

How many surgeries did Jocelyn Wildenstein have?

While the exact number is unclear, Jocelyn Wildenstein is known to have undergone several surgeries over the years, including multiple facelifts, eyelid surgeries, and cheek implants, to achieve her dramatic transformation

What is Jocelyn Wildenstein’s net worth today?

Jocelyn Wildenstein’s net worth is currently estimated to be around $10 million. This is a significant decrease from the billions she received in her divorce settlement, mainly due to her extravagant lifestyle and ongoing legal battles.

What is Jocelyn Wildenstein doing now?

Jocelyn Wildenstein maintains a relatively private life now, after years of media attention. Though she no longer frequents the spotlight as much, she remains a public figure due to her past surgeries and her association with the wealthy

Conclusion

Jocelyn Wildenstein remains one of the most talked-about figures in popular culture, known for her dramatic transformation and nickname “Catwoman.” Her extensive cosmetic surgeries, driven by personal and alleged marital reasons, have sparked both fascination and controversy.

Despite receiving a massive divorce settlement and gaining worldwide attention, her net worth today is estimated at around $10 million, a significant decrease from the billions she once received. Whether admired or criticized, Jocelyn Wildenstein’s story serves as a reminder of the impact of beauty standards, the effects of fame, and the consequences of extreme cosmetic procedures.