Jocelyn Wildenstein

Jocelyn Wildenstein: A Life of Plastic Surgery Excess

Early Life and Background

Jocelyn Wildenstein, born as Jocelyn Périsset in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1940, grew up in a wealthy family. Her father, Alec Wildenstein, was an art collector and racehorse owner, while her mother, Paulette, was a French socialite. Growing up in a world of privilege and luxury, Jocelyn developed a fascination with beauty and aesthetics.

First Marriage and Divorce

In 1978, Jocelyn married Cyril Piguet, a Swiss filmmaker. The couple divorced three years later, and Jocelyn received a substantial financial settlement, which she used to finance her first plastic surgery procedures.

Meeting Alec Wildenstein

In 1980, Jocelyn met Alec Wildenstein, a French-American art dealer and racehorse owner. They married in 1983, and Jocelyn became a prominent figure in the New York high society. Her marriage to Alec allowed her to pursue her passion for plastic surgery with even greater extravagance.

Extensive Plastic Surgery

Over the course of several decades, Jocelyn underwent numerous plastic surgery procedures, including multiple facelifts, brow lifts, eyelifts, lip augmentations, and cheek implants. Her quest for extreme beauty and youthfulness led to a series of surgeries that drastically altered her facial features, earning her the nickname "Catwoman" due to her feline-like appearance.

Divorce and Financial Woes

In 1997, Alec Wildenstein filed for divorce from Jocelyn, citing her excessive spending on plastic surgery. The divorce was acrimonious and featured a bitter legal battle over their shared assets. Jocelyn's spending had spiraled out of control, and she found herself in significant financial debt.

Later Life and Legacy

After her divorce, Jocelyn continued to live a lavish lifestyle, but her financial problems persisted. She faced several lawsuits and allegations of fraud and embezzlement. In her later years, she retreated from public life and lived in relative isolation. Jocelyn Wildenstein's life and obsessive pursuit of plastic surgery have become a cautionary tale about the dangers of body dysmorphic disorder and the negative consequences of extreme cosmetic procedures.