Jocelyn Wildenstein's partner Lloyd Klein says she died peacefully in her sleep after making NYE plans

PARIS, FRANCE: Jocelyn Wildenstein, the Swiss socialite famously known for her dramatic plastic surgeries, died at the age of 84 on December 31, 2024.

Her longtime partner of 21 years, Lloyd Klein, shared details of her final hours in an exclusive interview.

Jocelyn Wildenstein dies peacefully in her sleep

“We had a nice happy hour the same night, preparing for the New Year. We decided to take a little nap to look our best before getting dressed,” Klein recounted. 

When People inquired about Wildenstein's cause of death, it was revealed she suffered from phlebitis, a condition characterized by vein inflammation. According to Healthline, this can result from damage to the vein wall or a blood clot obstructing the vein.

"Because of her phlebitis, the legs were very, very swollen, and the blood was blocked, and there was no oxygen in the brain," he said, adding "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."

Tragically, during that nap, Wildenstein died peacefully.

"It's very sad. It's extremely sad," he shared, adding "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."

Despite her health condition, Klein noted that Wildenstein appeared to be in good spirits and excellent health leading up to her death. "We were at the Ritz two days ago. We were having dinner, Before that, we had come for Fashion Week at Chanel. Everything was good, everything was good," Klein said.

Looking back on their time during the holiday season, he described it as "beautiful."

"We were at the Ritz. We were having parties. She was in great shape. She was in impeccable health," Klein recalled.

Jocelyn Wildenstein's 'Catwoman' legacy

Jocelyn Wildenstein, famously dubbed “Catwoman” by the media, became a cultural icon for her dramatic transformation, characterized by cat-like eyes, high cheekbones, and pronounced features. Her distinctive look, attributed to her fascination with Africa’s wildlife and feline grace, became her signature.

While speculation about her plastic surgeries swirled for decades, Wildenstein alternated between denying and acknowledging her procedures.

She once refuted the infamous remark made by her ex-husband, Alec Wildenstein, who compared her facial enhancements to “treating a piece of furniture.”

Beyond her physical transformation, Wildenstein’s life was marked by extravagant wealth and an equally dramatic financial downfall. Following her high-profile divorce from Alec Wildenstein, she received a staggering settlement rumored to be in the billions. However, her fortune dwindled over the years due to lavish spending on art, jewelry, and a luxurious lifestyle.

In 2018, Wildenstein declared bankruptcy, revealing that much of her wealth had been lost to art forgeries and disappointing auction results. “I am not employed, and my only income is Social Security,” she admitted in a court affidavit.