How a naked blonde & husband’s gunpoint threat sent ‘Catwoman’ Jocelyn Wildenstein down tragic path of surgery obsession
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IT is the riddle that baffled followers of Jocelyn Wildenstein for decades. What sparked the dramatic face transformation that turned the beautiful Swiss socialite, who died yesterday aged 84, into the world-famous 'Catwoman'?. Also dubbed the ‘Bride of Wildenstein’, Jocelyn became renowned for her extreme addiction to surgery, which snowballed after she received a landmark $2billion divorce settlement from ex-husband Alec.
![[Jocelyn Wildenstein was known for her extreme facial transformation, though she often denied having plastic surgery]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/jocelyn-wildenstein-seen-wearing-breathtaking-939403786.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
While she repeatedly denied going under the knife - despite countless experts' assessments to the contrary - she previously hinted that the origins of her cosmetic obsession lay in the final days of her turbulent marriage. Billionaire Alec was said to be a lover of big cats, and pals feared her Lynx-like appearance was an increasingly desperate effort to please the Frenchman, who tormented her with numerous affairs.
![[A photo from early in her marraige shows her natural beauty]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/jocelyne-wildenstein-early-years-ol-960948541.jpg?strip=all&w=768)
During their explosive 1999 divorce, she also claimed her estranged husband “hated old people”, sparking speculation her numerous facelifts were a tragic attempt to recapture her youth. Alec rubbished the rumours, telling Vanity Fair: “She was crazy. I would always find out last.
![[Her divorce from Alec Wildenstein made headlines around the world]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2002-deauville-western-france-shows-323100834.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
“She was thinking that she could fix her face like a piece of furniture. Skin does not work that way. But she wouldn’t listen.”. Whichever account was to be believed, Jocelyn's image overhauls undoubtedly ramped up after the night she discovered a naked blonde in her marital bed, which proved to be the final straw in her relationship with Alec.
![[Little is known about Jocelyn's upbringing in Switzerland]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/getting-ready-ballet-classes-switzerland-798213225.jpg?strip=all&w=768)
Their settlement sparked one of the world's most infamous spending sprees as she frittered away millions on phone bills, designer gear and vintage wine - all while looking increasingly unrecognisable from the mysterious, bright-eyed girl of her youth.
![[There have been rumours that she worked for famous brothel owner Madame Claude]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/madame-claude-french-brothel-keeper-613470989.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
