Jocelyn Wildenstein, a Swiss socialite known as the ‘Catwoman’ in the United States, is a prime example of how far someone can go with plastic surgery. Her story has become a cautionary tale, reminding us of the potential consequences of excessive cosmetic procedures and the relentless pursuit of youth. She gained notoriety after receiving a $2.5 billion divorce settlement from her art dealer husband, Alec Wildenstein, in the 1990s.
Now 82 years old, Jocelyn continues to make headlines with her unique appearance. Recently, she posted a picture on Instagram of herself as a young woman holding her baby daughter, Diane, on Diane’s birthday, captioning it, “Happy Birthday, my beautiful daughter, Diane.” The contrast between her face then and now is striking, and the question arises: why did she undergo such extensive transformations?
During their divorce proceedings, Alec claimed that Jocelyn’s surgeries were driven by his dislike of aging, though he has since denied this. In a 1998 interview with Vanity Fair, Alec stated, “She was crazy. I always knew she had something done to her face, and I noticed after each time she’d had something done, she felt that she could fix her face like a piece of furniture. But skin doesn’t work like that.” Ultimately, Alec attributed the breakdown of their marriage to his wife’s dramatically altered appearance. It’s worth noting that Alec was also involved in an affair with a younger woman.
Jocelyn’s current appearance, characterized by lifted eyelids and excessively filled lips, earned her the moniker ‘Catwoman.’ Her resemblance to a feline, with her wide, upturned eyes, is undeniable. She has embraced this comparison, often wearing animal print clothing and owning a pet cougar. Some rumors suggest that Alec, a known cat lover, encouraged her surgeries to enhance her femininity.
However, the phenomenon of affluent men seeking trophy wives and wives undergoing extensive anti-aging procedures to avoid being discarded is a recurring narrative in American culture. It’s a story that feels both tragic and unsettling.
The Fear of the Same Face: The Recurring Pattern of Plastic Surgery
If a naturally beautiful woman felt pressured to alter her face drastically to maintain her husband’s love, it’s a heartbreaking situation. And what’s equally intriguing is that, regardless of race or nationality, individuals who repeatedly undergo anti-aging procedures often end up with a similar appearance, akin to Jocelyn’s. Take, for example, Mickey Rourke, whose transformation is starkly evident. An unwavering desire to erase every wrinkle and sign of aging can lead to a puffed, stretched, and unnatural ‘Catwoman’ face.
Until recently, I struggled to comprehend why beautiful celebrities would willingly undergo procedures that resulted in such unnatural appearances. If I were to consider plastic surgery, I would strive for a natural, subtle outcome. However, as I entered my 50s, I finally understood. There’s a distinction between surgeries that alter the shape of features in your youth and those aimed at anti-aging. The latter, when focused on one area, often necessitates adjustments elsewhere to maintain balance. Imagine removing the under-eye bags, known as ‘クマ’ in Japanese. The elongated midface that develops with age becomes even more pronounced. This might lead to Botox injections in the corners of the mouth or hyaluronic acid fillers in the upper lip. While the initial motivation may be as simple as “If only these bags were gone, I’d look more energetic,” the pursuit of anti-aging becomes a relentless cycle. As we address one concern, another inevitably arises, leading us further away from our true selves. Ultimately, we might find ourselves transformed into a ‘Catwoman’ without realizing it.
Or perhaps, if we proactively address aging concerns early on, this transformation can be prevented? But is that truly possible? Even Hollywood stars, who have access to the best cosmetic surgeons and invest countless resources in their appearance from a young age, eventually succumb to the ‘Catwoman’ effect. To avoid this fate, we need a discerning eye to objectively assess our appearance and a skilled surgeon who will advocate for natural-looking results and resist the urge to overdo it. Celebrities, with their vast wealth, often succumb to the temptation of overfilling and overdoing procedures, leading to more extreme transformations.
Currently, Jocelyn is preparing to release a documentary about how she made her fortune in 2021, though it has yet to be released. On a personal front, she has been romantically involved with Lloyd Klein, a 57-year-old fashion designer, since 2003. In 2016, Jocelyn was arrested for attacking Lloyd with a pair of scissors after he allegedly demanded money from her. The two reconciled and later became engaged. Recently, they were photographed happily enjoying each other’s company poolside in Miami. It’s astonishing that she is still engaged in such intense romantic relationships at 80 years old. Does she never feel the need to just “take a break” from love?
Jocelyn’s life is a whirlwind of drama. She is undeniably tenacious and aggressive, not only in her pursuit of cosmetic procedures but also in life itself.
