Early Life and Background

Born Jocelyne Périsset in Lausanne, Switzerland, Wildenstein grew up in a middle-class household. Her father worked at a sporting goods store, and she spent her early years in Switzerland before moving abroad to pursue various interests.

Personal Life and Marriage to Alec Wildenstein

At the age of 17, Jocelyn began dating Swiss movie producer Cyril Piguet. She later relocated to Paris, where she lived with Italian-French filmmaker Sergio Gobbi. During this period, she developed skills in hunting and piloting—unusual pursuits that further enhanced her profile as a socialite with distinctive interests.

She met Alec N. Wildenstein, a billionaire heir to a prominent art dealing dynasty, during a weekend shooting event at Ol Jogi, the Wildenstein family's African ranch. The introduction was arranged by Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. Jocelyn and Alec married in their 30s and became one of the most closely followed couples among elite social circles.

Their marriage ended in a highly publicized divorce in 1999, which brought significant attention to Jocelyn's lifestyle. Court records and media reports highlighted her lavish spending, including a reported $60,000 per year on phone expenses and approximately $547,000 annually on food and wine.

Media Attention and Public Image

Jocelyn Wildenstein drew global media coverage not only for her wealth but also for her dramatically altered physical appearance due to multiple cosmetic surgeries. Her transformation has prompted the media to assign her various nicknames over the decades, including "Catwoman," "The Lion Queen," and "The Bride of Wildenstein." These monikers reflect the public's fascination with her feline-like aesthetic and eccentric presentation.

While she has never formally worked in a specific profession, Jocelyn has remained a figure of pop culture interest and continues to be recognized for her distinctive style and association with luxury and art-world affluence.