Jocelyn Wildenstein, the 84-year-old socialite known for her extreme plastic surgeries and record-breaking divorce settlement, has died.
She passed away on Tuesday from a pulmonary embolism in her Paris residence, according to local reports.
Wildenstein, who was nicknamed ‘Catwoman’ due to her numerous surgeries aimed at creating a feline appearance, had been seen only two weeks ago in Paris with her partner, appearing healthy.
Alongside her distinctive appearance, Wildenstein was also recognized for her staggering $2.5 billion (£1.7 billion) divorce settlement.
Born Jocelyne Périsset on 5 August 1940 in Lausanne, Switzerland, she came from a middle-class family and was the daughter of a struggling department-store buyer.
At the age of 17, she began dating Swiss movie producer Cyril Piguet, before entering a five-year relationship with European filmmaker Sergio Gobbi, during which she developed a love for Africa.
Her life took a significant turn when she was introduced to Alec Wildenstein, a French-born American billionaire, by Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi during a safari in Kenya in 1977.
They married in 1978, but their divorce in the late 1990s made headlines due to the enormous financial settlement.
Wildenstein was known for her extreme surgeries, widely believed to have been motivated by her desire to please her horse-racing ex-husband.
In addition to her cosmetic surgeries, Wildenstein was an accomplished hunter, pilot, and art lover.
