'Catwoman' Jocelyn Wildenstein dies at 84 in Paris as her partner pays tribute
Swiss socialite Jocelyn Wildenstein has died. She was 84.
The star was known for her extensive cosmetic surgeries and high-profile divorce from late billionaire art dealer Alec Wildenstein in the '90s.
Wildenstein's partner Lloyd Klein reportedly confirmed her death to news agency AFP with a statement.
Klein said the 84-year-old died in Paris after suffering a pulmonary embolism.
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Jocelyn Wildenstein has died in Paris at the age of 84. Getty Images for FENDI
According to Mayo Clinic, a pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening blood clot that "blocks and stops blood flow to an artery in the lung".
In a tribute to AFP per Paris Match, Klein reportedly told the outlet, "an icon is gone".
He added he was in "pain" over her death.
He also told People after news of her death that she died in her sleep while taking a nap and said she had phlebitis, the inflammation of a vein.
"It's very sad. It's extremely sad," he said.
Speaking about how they spent the holiday season together before her death, he added: "We were at the Ritz. We were having parties. She was in great shape. She was in impeccable health."
The couple had recently been spotted out in Paris together.
Wildenstein last shared a video of her and Klein on December 23 walking hand-in-hand just days before Christmas.
"This is power after all ❤️ @jocelynewildenstein 🌲Merry Christmas," Klein commented.
Wildenstein was engaged to her longtime partner Klein, who she was with since 2003.
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Wildenstein has been with her partner Lloyd Klein since 2003. Instagram/ jocelynwildenstein
Speaking to Interview Magazine in 2023, Klein said of his partner: '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. Major, major, major achievements."
The late Swiss socialite struck up a romance with French fashion designer Klein after meeting at one of his shows.
They got engaged after 14 years of dating in 2017.
The star, whose previous name was Jocelyn Périsset, gained notoriety in the late '90s for her marriage to the late Alec Wildenstein, which reportedly left her a billionaire.
Jocelyn met the billionaire on a 1977 safari in Kenya.
Jocelyn gained notoriety for her high-profile divorce from late billionaire Alec Wildenstein. WireImage
They then tied the knot in April 1978, eloping in Las Vegas together.
The couple were married for over a decade and shared two children together, daughter Diane and son Alec Wildenstein, Jr.
They called it quits in 1997, officially divorcing two years later in 1999.
The late art dealer ended up reportedly paying his ex-wife a staggering $2.5 billion settlement.
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He reportedly paid her an additional $100 million annually for 13 years. He died in 2008.
She was dubbed "Catwoman" for her cat-like appearance after speculated cosmetic procedures, which she long denied.
The star had previously claimed she got a face lift as her husband "hates to be with old people".
Wildenstein pictured in 2006. Getty
She retracted her claim in a 1998 interview with Vanity Fair during their divorce.
"He never pushed me... No, he all the time told me that I look very young."
"Until the day you don't look young enough!" she added.
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