Jocelyn Wildenstein, the 84-year-old Swiss socialite who garnered notoriety as "Catwoman," has made headlines once again, this time for her emphatic denial of having undergone any plastic surgery throughout her life. Despite the widespread belief and media portrayal of her having had extensive cosmetic procedures, Wildenstein insists her looks are natural, attributing them to her genetic heritage.
Known for her association with the glamorous lifestyle of the 1990s, Wildenstein's rise to fame can be traced back to her marriage to billionaire art dealer Alec Wildenstein. Their tumultuous relationship and subsequent high-profile divorce became fodder for tabloids, fueling speculation about her altered appearance, which many attribute to surgeries intended to give her more feline features.
Wildenstein's unique visage, often referred to as "cat-like," has led to countless articles dissecting her appearance over the years. She recently opened up about her stance on plastic surgery during interviews promoting the upcoming HBO documentary named after her infamous moniker. According to reports from various outlets including The Sun, she asserted, "I haven't had plastic surgery. I am scared of what can happen, and I don't like to have something heavy. Sometimes it is a bit heavy and terrible."
Adding to her statement, she clarified her experience with cosmetic treatments such as Botox, which she initially tried twice before experiencing adverse effects. "I don't like the Botox," she recounted, reflecting on the reactions others may have. "Everyone has a different reaction to it. I don't know if I am allergic, but when I had it, it did not go well with me. It was not a good result; my face swelled up."
This sentiment echoes previous statements she has made where she expressed her disdain for face fillers, citing friends who were left unhappy after using them. Instead, Wildenstein embraces her natural appearance, describing features like her high cheekbones and unique eye shape as gifts from her ancestors. "The lynx has perfect eyes. If I show you pictures of my grandmother, what you see is these eyes - cat eyes - and high cheekbones," she purportedly remarked on previous occasions.
Wildenstein's denials may come as a contradiction to many fans who have documented her physical transformation over the years. Notably, her looks seemed to diverge significantly from her photographs from decades prior, which has raised eyebrows among the public and skeptics alike. A recent throwback photo she posted on Instagram celebrating her daughter's birthday particularly shocked followers due to the noticeable differences.
Despite the skepticism surrounding her claims, Wildenstein has remained steadfast about her appearance and choices. "I never really did anything to change my face," her fiancé Lloyd Klein once stated, reitering his support for her perspective. He has even mentioned having photographs from when Wildenstein was 16 years old, asserting she looked nearly identical then as she does now.
This isn’t the first time Wildenstein faced scrutiny over her appearance. Back as far as 2018, she firmly defended her looks as being tied to her Swiss ancestry, refuting claims linking them solely to surgery or cosmetic enhancements. Throughout the years, Wildenstein has continued to make various public statements dismissing the idea of ever having gone under the knife, emphasizing the emotional toll the speculation has taken on her.
Her relationships with beauty and self-image have continuously evolved as she ages. Wildenstein has highlighted how changes to her hair and style can impact perceptions, noting, "When you look at the pictures of me, some with curly hair, some with exotic hair, some with straight hair, you can see how it completely changes your appearance. Also, the way I dress changes how I am seen."
Jocelyn's unwavering stance against the backdrop of media buzz has only intensified interest as she prepares to reveal more of her life story through the upcoming documentary. While the project is poised to take viewers through various facets of her life, from her affluent beginnings to her tumultuous struggles against public opinion, the questions around her physical appearance continue to loom large.
Whether her assertion will quell the doubts surrounding her appearance remains to be seen. The conversation about beauty standards, aging, and the societal pressures to conform will certainly continue, with Wildenstein as both participant and observer within this complex dialogue on identity. For now, her narrative seems driven by defiance and the desire to control her own image, one which has fascinated the public for decades.
