Rare Pre-Surgery Photos of ‘Catwoman’ Jocelyn Wildenstein Trend After Her Passing at 84
3 min readGrant Lamos IV/Getty Images
Jocelyn Wildenstein, the Swiss socialite famously dubbed “Catwoman” for her extensive plastic surgeries, has passed away at the age of 84. Her death was confirmed by her partner, fashion designer Lloyd Klein, who revealed she died on Tuesday from a pulmonary embolism while in Paris, France. Following her passing, pre-surgery photos of Wildenstein began circulating widely on social media, sparking renewed conversations about her life and her dramatic transformation.
A Tragic End in Paris
Klein confirmed the news to the French news agency AFP, stating that Jocelyn Wildenstein succumbed to the embolism while the couple was enjoying the holidays in the French capital. Just days prior, the pair had shared glimpses of their Parisian getaway on social media, making her sudden death all the more shocking to fans and followers.
Billionaire socialite ‘Catwoman’
Jocelyn Wildenstein has passed away at the age of 84.
Wildenstein passed away in her sleep from a pulmonary embolism in her Paris hotel.
She was best known for her extravagant plastic surgery to resemble a cat.
She famously received $2.5… pic.twitter.com/eWpoCbMKF8— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) January 2, 2025Advertisement
The “Catwoman” Transformation
Jocelyn Wildenstein’s life was marked by a fascination with cosmetic surgery, a journey that would come to define her public persona. Over the years, she spent an estimated $4 million on surgeries to achieve her feline-like appearance, which earned her the infamous nickname.
Her transformation reportedly began with an eyelid lift, a procedure she underwent before her marriage to billionaire art dealer Alec Wildenstein. Subsequent surgeries were said to have been motivated by her desire to create features reminiscent of a cat, a preference she believed would appeal to her husband.
By the time of her divorce, Wildenstein’s dramatic looks had become a point of public fascination and controversy. During the highly publicized proceedings, a judge stipulated that she could not use her alimony payments for further cosmetic procedures—a restriction highlighting the extent of her surgical alterations.
‘Catwoman’ Jocelyn Wildenstein, known for extreme plastic surgery addiction, dead at 84 pic.twitter.com/ycalDPHQGu
— Dennis Emmitt | Men's Dating Coach (@DennisREmmitt) January 1, 2025
Viral Pre-Surgery Photos
In the wake of her death, photos of Jocelyn Wildenstein from before her transformation have gone viral, reminding the world of the natural beauty she once possessed. These images have reignited discussions on social media about body image, self-perception, and the societal pressures that can lead to such drastic changes.
RIP Miss jocelyn wildenstein pic.twitter.com/RfcSyAm4cC
— KimIfYaNasty (@KimIfYaNasty) January 1, 2025
While much of the public’s focus has been on her physical transformation, Jocelyn Wildenstein’s life was also one of luxury, art, and high society. She lived extravagantly, famously spending millions on everything from surgeries to exotic pets.
Her death marks the end of an era for one of the most polarizing figures in modern celebrity culture. As the world reflects on her life, the images of her earlier years serve as a poignant reminder of her complex and controversial legacy.