
‘Catwoman’ Jocelyn Wildenstein’s partner shares socialite’s final moments, cause of death | Fox News Fox News Media Fox News Media Fox Business Fox Nation Fox News Audio Fox Weather Outkick Fox Noticias Books Fox News U.S. Politics World Opinion Media Entertainment Sports Lifestyle Video AI More Expand / Collapse search Login Watch TV Menu U.S. Crime Military Education Terror Immigration Economy Personal Freedoms Fox News Investigates Digital Originals Politics Executive Senate House Judiciary Foreign Policy Polls Elections World U.N. Conflicts Terrorism Disasters Global Economy Environment Religion Scandals Opinion Media FOX Nation Coverage Entertainment Celebrity News Country Music Royals Game Shows Couples Exclusives Sports NFL College Football MLB NBA NHL Golf Tennis Soccer UFC WWE Lifestyle Health Food & Drink Auto Travel & Outdoors Real Estate House & Home Style & Beauty Family Faith FOX Business Personal Finance Economy Markets Watchlist Lifestyle Real Estate Tech Science & Tech Air & Space Security Innovation Video Games Military Tech Planet Earth Wild Nature Watch Live FOX News Shows Programming Schedule On Air Personalities Full Episodes Show Clips News Clips Apps & Products FOX News Go FOX Weather FOX Nation FOX Noticias FOX News Shop FOX News Radio Outkick Newsletters Podcasts Games Daily Crossword Puzzle Crazy Crystals Match 3 Game Word Search Mini Crossword Puzzle Stack and Match Block Puzzle 5 Across the Letter Word Game Fox News Updated Terms of Use New Privacy Policy Your Privacy Choices Closed Caption Policy Help Contact Us Accessibility Statement This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2025 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions . Legal Statement . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper . Facebook Twitter Instagram RSS Email Departed ‘Catwoman’ Jocelyn Wildenstein’s partner shares socialite’s final moments, cause of death Wildenstein died on New Year’s Eve By Stephanie Giang-Paunon , Tracy Wright Fox News Published January 2, 2025 10:19am EST Facebook Twitter Flipboard Comments Print Email close Video Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines 12/31 Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. Jocelyn Wildenstein, better known as “Catwoman” from her numerous cosmetic procedures, has died. Wildenstein died “peacefully” in her sleep on Tuesday, Dec. 31, while taking a nap, her longtime partner Lloyd Klein revealed to People. Klein, a fashion designer, shared memories of Wildenstein during her final hours of life. ‘CATWOMAN’ JOCELYN WILDENSTEIN DENIES HAVING ANY PLASTIC SURGERY, CITES HER SWISS HERITAGE Jocelyn Wildenstein began dating fashion designer Lloyd Klein in 2003. (Bryan Bedder) “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,” he told the media outlet. Klein shared that the Swiss socialite died from phlebitis, or thrombophlebitis, a condition that causes a blood clot to form and block one or more veins, often in the legs, according to the Mayo Clinic. “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… when I [woke] up, I said, ‘Jocelyn, we have to wake up, we have to get dressed,’ and she was cold and she was dead.” “It’s very sad. It’s extremely sad,” he remarked. “It’s extremely sad to lay down with your other half that I know for 21 years… waiting to celebrate New Year’s Eve and to find her cold.” Klein added that his partner’s health condition was “perfect” around the holidays leading up to New Year’s Eve. Wildenstein’s grandmother also had phlebitis. The Swiss socialite died from phlebitis, or thrombophlebitis, a condition that causes a blood clot to form and block one or more veins, often in the legs, according to the Mayo Clinic. (Noam Galai/Getty Images) LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS “We were at the Ritz two days ago. We were having dinner,” Klein shared. “Before that, we had come for Fashion Week at Chanel. Everything was good, everything was good.” “We were at the Ritz. We were having parties. She was in great shape. She was in impeccable health,” he added. “Two months ago, she attended the Chanel show. Everyone invited us to dinner. Everyone welcomed her with red carpet. Paparazzi were following us. It was the return to Paris. We were at the top of our game. Everything was at the top,” he remembered. Wildenstein’s addiction to plastic surgery earned her the feline moniker after her facial features turned cat-like. Born Jocelyne Perisset, the Swiss socialite first made headlines in the 1990s following her divorce from billionaire art collector Alec Wildenstein . Shortly after her divorce from Alec, Wildenstein began dating Klein. They were together nearly 15 years before he proposed. “Catwoman” Jocelyn Wildenstein died in Paris on Tuesday. (Craig Barritt) Meanwhile, her divorce from Wildenstein made her one of the wealthiest people in the world when she received a $2.5 billion settlement. Additionally, Wildenstein received millions in annual payments from her ex-husband. By 2018, though, her money ran out, and she filed for bankruptcy. “I am not employed and my only income is Social Security,” Wildenstein wrote in an affidavit at the time. “I often turn to friends and family in order to pay my ongoing expenses.” CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Jocelyn Wildenstein won a $2.5 billion settlement in her divorce from art dealer Alec Wildenstein. (Evan Agostini) The same year, she discredited cosmetic surgery for her features, and instead said her Swiss heritage gave her “high cheekbones and long hair.” When asked by DailyMailTV if she had any plastic surgery, she denied going under the knife. “No, especially when we look back at my pictures – I think of course I am maybe more beautiful [back then],” she said. “When we are young there’s a certain freshness we lose with the years. But you still find the same eyes, same high cheeks or same nose. I think I was more pretty.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Wildenstein was arrested in December 2016 over allegations she attacked Klein with her nails. Meanwhile, charges were brought against Klein after Wildenstein alleged he shoved her in an altercation at their Trump World Tower residence. Both were cleared of their charges. She is survived by daughter Diane and son Alec Jr. Stephanie Giang-Paunon is an Entertainment Writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @SGiangPaunon. Trending Entertainment Valerie Bertinelli, Elle MacPherson, Brad Pitt, Rob Lowe explain how sobriety has changed their lives Entertainment Denis Leary has been ‘preparing my whole life’ for new show filmed on active military base Exclusive Denise Austin knows why New Year’s resolutions fail, shares simple tip for success Royals Meghan Markle returns to social media after five-year hiatus In Court Blake Lively files official federal lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, looks forward to day in court Entertainment Kristin Cavallari wants to ‘live in the energy’; Paul McCartney eyes new album: 2025 New Year’s resolutions Fox News Entertainment Get a daily look at the top news in music, movies, television and more in the entertainment industry. Arrives Weekdays By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use , and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. Subscribe Subscribed Subscribe You’ve successfully subscribed to this newsletter! U.S. Crime Military Education Terror Immigration Economy Personal Freedoms Fox News Investigates Digital Originals Politics Executive Senate House Judiciary Foreign Policy Polls Elections World U.N. Conflicts Terrorism Disasters Global Economy Environment Religion Scandals Opinion Media FOX Nation Coverage Entertainment Celebrity News Country Music Royals Game Shows Couples Exclusives Sports NFL College Football MLB NBA NHL Golf Tennis Soccer UFC WWE Lifestyle Health Food & Drink Auto Travel & Outdoors Real Estate House & Home Fitness & Well-being Style & Beauty Family Faith FOX Business Personal Finance Economy Markets Watchlist Lifestyle Real Estate Tech Science & Tech Air & Space Security Innovation Video Games Military Tech Planet Earth Wild Nature Watch Live FOX News Shows Programming Schedule On Air Personalities Full Episodes Show Clips News Clips About Contact Us Careers Fox Around the World Advertise With Us Media Relations Corporate Information Compliance Apps & Products FOX News Go FOX Weather FOX Nation FOX Noticias FOX News Shop FOX News Radio Outkick Newsletters Podcasts Games Daily Crossword Puzzle Crazy Crystals Match 3 Game Word Search Mini Crossword Puzzle Stack and Match Block Puzzle 5 Across the Letter Word Game Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube Flipboard LinkedIn Slack RSS Newsletters Spotify iHeartRadio Fox News Updated Terms of Use New Privacy Policy Your Privacy Choices Closed Caption Policy Help Contact Us Accessibility Statement This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2025 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions . Legal Statement . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper .