Jocelyn Wildenstein, the Swiss socialite recognized for her love of cosmetic surgery, died on Tuesday on the age of 84.
The tabloid fixture’s longtime companion, Lloyd Klein, instructed Folks that Wildenstein died in her sleep as a result of issues from phlebitis, a type of irritation within the veins which causes blood clots.
The Sunday Occasions later confirmed her reason behind demise to be a pulmonary embolism.
“Because of her phlebitis, the legs were very, very swollen, and the blood was blocked, and there was no oxygen in the brain,” Klein instructed Folks.
The 2 took a nap collectively, he mentioned, however she by no means awakened. “It’s extremely sad to lay down with your other half that I know for 21 years and waiting to celebrate New Year’s Eve and to find her cold.”
Dubbed the “Catwoman” for her dramatic beauty enhancements, Wildenstein first got here into public consciousness as a New York society determine following her 1978 marriage to billionaire artwork vendor Alec Wildenstein.
Noam Galai through Getty Photos
The pair’s contentious 1997 divorce and subsequent authorized battle was lined relentlessly by the New York press.
The Wildensteins finally finalized their divorce two years later. The socialite reportedly obtained a $2.5 billion settlement upfront, together with an extra $100 million per 12 months in annual funds.
Regardless of her substantial divorce judgment, Wildenstein discovered herself in dire monetary straits many years later.
She filed for chapter in 2018, later telling The Sunday Occasions she had a “huge problem” along with her settlement.
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“Since eight years, they have completely cut me off,” Wildenstein mentioned in a 2023 interview.
The Occasions additionally reported that within the 12 months previous to her demise, the socialite had shot the pilot for a actuality present following her transfer from Miami to Los Angeles. The undertaking had not discovered a community earlier than her demise.
Wildenstein is survived by Klein and her two kids, Diane Wildenstein and Alec Wildenstein Jr.
