Jess Hardiman
The partner of ‘Catwoman’ Jocelyn Wildenstein has spoken out about the death of his ‘beloved’ fiancée, who passed away on New Year’s Eve at the age of 84.
Wildenstein was well-known for her distinctive catlike appearance, which earned her the famous nickname.
Despite many assuming her looks were the result of extensive cosmetic surgery, she always maintained that she had never gone under the knife, crediting her signature cheekbones and her long hair to her Swiss background.
The socialite had a high-profile divorce from art dealer Alec Wildenstein, but was later engaged to fashion designer fiancé Lloyd Klein, 57.
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It was Klein who broke the news of her ‘unexpected’ death, confirming in a statement that she passed away ‘peacefully’ in her sleep.
"It is with heavy heart and with great sadness that Mr Lloyd Klein announces the unexpected death of his beloved fiancée and longtime companion Jocelyne Wildenstein,” the statement to AFP said, adding: "Mrs Wildenstein died peacefully in her sleep in the late afternoon of December 31st, 2024 in her... suite in Paris where the couple had taken temporary residence since August of 2024."
Klein tried to wake his partner from a nap so that they could get ready for New Year’s Eve celebrations, but found she was unresponsive.
"Early reports from the doctors called to the scene indicate that she had endured heart failure and passed peacefully in her sleep," the statement explained.
Speaking to People, Klein said the pair had enjoyed a ‘nice happy hour’ and were ‘getting ready for the new year’.
"We took a little nap just to look good before getting dressed," he told the outlet.
When asked about Wildenstein’s cause of death, Klein said: "Because of her phlebitis, the legs were very, very swollen, and the blood was blocked, and there was no oxygen in the brain.
"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."
He continued: "It's very sad. It's extremely sad. 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."
Klein said Wildenstein’s health had been ‘perfect’ just a matter of days before she passed away, explaining how her condition – which her grandmother also had – hadn't impacted their holiday plans.
"We were at the Ritz two days ago,” he recalled.
“We were having dinner. Before that, we had come for Fashion Week at Chanel. Everything was good, everything was good."