Jocelyn Wildenstein — the New York socialite famously dubbed “Catwoman” for her striking feline features — has shared a rare photo taken long before her many cosmetic procedures, leaving many stunned by how dramatically she has changed.
Now 82, Wildenstein marked her birthday on August 25 by posting a throwback image on Instagram showing herself with her daughter Diane as a baby. In the caption, she lovingly wished her daughter a happy birthday. Jocelyn, who was born in Switzerland, shares two children — Diane and Alex Jr. — with her late ex-husband, billionaire art dealer Alec Wildenstein.
Public fascination with Jocelyn intensified after her highly publicized divorce in 1997, which earned her the tabloid nicknames “Catwoman” and “The Bride of Wildenstein.” During that turbulent period, she openly admitted to continuing cosmetic procedures, later claiming her husband disliked the idea of aging.
In interviews, Jocelyn has insisted that some of her feline-like traits are natural. She once told Vanity Fair that her high cheekbones and distinctive eyes run in her family, pointing to photos of her grandmother as proof. Her fondness for animal-print fashion and even owning a pet lynx only reinforced her cat-inspired image.
Alec Wildenstein, however, strongly disagreed with her claims, criticizing her repeated surgeries and saying she ignored his warnings. Their divorce became one of the most sensational legal battles of the era, involving accusations ranging from infidelity to abuse.
In 1999, Jocelyn received a staggering $2.5 billion settlement, along with $100 million annually for the next 13 years. Notably, the judge reportedly ruled that none of that money could be spent on cosmetic surgery — a final twist in one of society’s most notorious splits.
