Jocelyn Wildenstein, the renowned Swiss socialite known for her dramatic plastic surgeries, died at age 84.
Her longtime partner, Lloyd Klein, confirmed to People that Wildenstein died in her sleep Tuesday while taking a nap.
"We had a nice happy hour the same night and we were getting ready for the new year, and we took a little nap just to look good before getting dressed," Klein said.
Klein said Wildenstein was battling phlebitis, a condition characterized by vein inflammation, which he said led to her death.
"Because of her phlebitis, the legs were very, very swollen, and the blood was blocked, and there was no oxygen in the brain," Klein said. "And we were having a nap and when I wake up, I said, 'Jocelyn, we have to wake up, we have to get dressed,' and she was cold and she was dead."
Born Jocelyne Périsset in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1940, Wildenstein became a prominent figure. In 1977, she eloped with Alec Wildenstein, and they had two children, Diane and Alec Jr., People reported.
The couple's highly publicized divorce in 1997 drew widespread attention, with the proceedings concluding two years later. Tabloids famously referred to Jocelyn as "The Bride of Wildenstein" and "Catwoman," a nod to her drastically altered appearance from extensive cosmetic surgeries.
Alec Wildenstein, who died in 2008, ultimately paid his ex-wife $2.5 billion, along with $100 million annually, to finalize the divorce settlement.
During her divorce, Wildenstein claimed her extensive cosmetic procedures were driven by her ex-husband, whom she accused of hating "to be with old people." Alec Wildenstein refuted her claims.
"I would always find out last," he told Vanity Fair. "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."
Jocelyn Wildenstein tried to stay out of the spotlight after the divorce was finalized. She has been in a relationship with Klein since 2003.
"She's known for plastic surgery, but I don't know that this is what she should be known for because she did a lot of incredible things in her life," he previously told Interview Magazine. "Major, major, major achievements," he said, highlighting her philanthropic efforts.
In the days leading up to her death, the couple posted photos on social media about spending the holidays in Paris. Reflecting on their time together over the festive season, Klein said it was "beautiful."
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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