Jocelyn Wildenstein, famously known as ‘Catwoman,’ has publicly shared a photograph in an effort to disprove long-standing rumors of her having undergone plastic surgery.
The 82-year-old Swiss socialite, recognized for her feline-like facial features and her highly publicized divorce from billionaire art dealer Alec Wildenstein, has taken to social media to directly address the persistent allegations surrounding her appearance. Wildenstein, who boasts a following of over 1.1 million on Instagram, often posts glimpses into her lavish lifestyle, including throwback pictures and stunning selfies that defy her age. However, speculation regarding cosmetic enhancements has followed her for decades, prompting her latest public response.
Recently, Wildenstein uploaded a rare and striking photograph from her teenage years as a ballet student in Switzerland, aiming to silence critics. The image, which shows a young Jocelyn during her dance training at the age of 15, was accompanied by a powerful caption. Though now deleted, the caption directly addressed the swirling rumors, reading: “Tbt [Throwback Thursday], that’s me, Jocelyn Wildenstein, at ballet classes in Switzerland at 15 years old – so maybe you should stop speculating on my image. Stop photoshopping my images because you are all wrong. Stop posting fake images of me. You will be able to watch the true image of me very soon on screen.”
This public statement is the latest instance where Wildenstein has confronted rumors regarding cosmetic procedures. Despite the persistent gossip, she has consistently denied having gone under the knife. She previously spoke to DailyMailTV, expressing a similar sentiment. Reflecting on her youthful appearance, she shared, “No, especially when we look back at my pictures – I think, of course, I am maybe more beautiful back then. When we are young, there’s a certain freshness we lose with the years. But you still find the same eyes, the same high cheekbones, and the same nose. I think I was more pretty.”
Wildstein has often pointed to her ex-husband, Alec Wildenstein, as the origin of these plastic surgery rumors. The pair divorced in 1999, with their separation making headlines due to the record-breaking $2.5 billion divorce settlement. According to Wildenstein, it was her ex-husband who sparked the rumors about her appearance during their tumultuous split.
In an interview with Paper Magazine conducted alongside her fiancé, fashion designer Lloyd Klein, Wildenstein revisited the topic of her appearance and the accusations tied to cosmetic surgery. When the interviewer broached the subject, describing her as an “early adopter” of cosmetic enhancements, Wildenstein was quick to clarify. She responded, “We speak a lot about plastic surgery because of my husband and the divorce.”
Klein also weighed in during the interview, supporting Wildenstein’s claims by stating, “Basically, he created that whole story that Jocelyn changed so many times and got surgery a lot. It was used as a fault for the divorce.”
To further drive home her point, Wildenstein has frequently shown old photographs of herself from her younger years, emphasizing that her unique appearance has always been a part of her natural features. She often draws comparisons between herself and her mother, who, according to Wildenstein, shared similar almond-shaped eyes and high cheekbones.
Despite the ongoing speculation, Wildenstein continues to embrace her distinctive look with confidence. She remains vocal in defending her appearance, determined to rewrite the narrative that has followed her for so long. Through social media and interviews, she maintains that her signature features are natural and not the result of surgical enhancements.