Introduction

 

Society Divas

Jocelyne Wildenstein

It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It is also said that some must march to the beat of a different drummer. Both of these aphorisms apply to Society Diva Jocelyne Wildenstein. Dubbed "Tiger Woman" and "The Bride Of Wildenstein" by a uncomprehending public startled by her exotic looks, her husband might have found the nickname "Kitten With A Whip" more appropriate, locked as he was in a bitter divorce battle with a woman he deeply loved, but began to remind him more of an extra from "The Curse of The Cat People".

Mrs. Wildenstein, like many in society, was not born to riches, but at an early age knew that she should have been. Originating from a middle class family in Lausanne, Switzerland, Jocelyne realized early in life that her good looks were her ticket out of a dead end existence in a small city that promised no great rewards. Using her Alpine good looks and feminine charms, Jocelyne eventually learned to become a skilled hunter and pilot of small planes. This combination of skill and womanly wiles eventually provided her with the introduction she had long sought; a shooting weekend at the 66,000 acre Kenyan estate of Alec Wildenstein, heir to a 10 billion dollar art fortune. Wildenstein had been born in Marseilles, France, but moved to New York for his education, and remained there to escape the whisper of scandal that followed him everywhere in Europe. The Wildensteins, a Jewish family, had been accused of both buying and selling art from the Nazis during the war. Naturally, there are some accusations for which even a great deal of money cannot provide a shield. So impressed was he with Jocelyne's lion hunting ability that he asked her out for a motorcycle ride through his estate the following day. They exchanged a kiss in a moment of unguarded passion, and the sparks immediately flew.

With the success of this initial contact, Jocelyne returned to Paris and her boyfriend, only to be confronted with massive bouquets of orchids from her new, very wealthy admirer. It wasn't long before the two embarked on a whirlwind romance, and they were married within a year in a lavish Las Vegas wedding ceremony. The happy newlyweds then settled into Alec's spacious Park Avenue apartment, and Jocelyne began to learn the role she was born to play: Society Wife.

While Alec managed the affairs of the art business and his Kenyan estate, Jocelyne busied herself with the upkeep and maintainence of their many houses around the world, including a Paris apartment, a Carribbean beach estate, a chateau in France, and another house in Lausanne, so that Jocelyne could be near her family. The happy couple made their home base the New York townhouse, a 5 story affair with priceless art, many bedrooms, and an indoor swimming pool.

Always loving exotic animals, Alec bought Jocelyne a rare monkey as a household pet, and they had special enclosures built in their various houses for the beast, as he travelled with them throughout the world in the Wildenstein's private jet. For animal company of the more usual sort, Alec bought his wife 5 purebred greyhounds.

Being a society wife is hard work, and by necessity one must look one's best. With Jocelyne, this was no exception. Alec bought her a complete Chanel wardrobe, as well as Chanel gowns designed expressly for her and no one else. Of course, with such a beautiful wardrobe, the acessories, too, must be of matching quality; so Alec bought his blushing bride a jewelery collection valued in excess of $10 million.

Marriage with anybody can be difficult. Marriage to the very rich can be impossible, at times. Alec Wildenstein was no exception. Though Jocelyne tried as hard as she could, and eventually provided her husband with two fine children, it was sometimes a thankless task to jolly her husband out of his somber moods. He was subject to fits of depression at the control his father still exercised over him, in spite of his advancing years. The only consolations, it seemed, were the lions in his private jungle and his priceless, exquisite art collection. An insecure Jocelyne could not be blamed for feeling somewhat jealous. When Alec's eye began to wander after many years of marriage, Jocelyne knew that drastic measures were called for.

Pushing fifty and insecure about her looks, Jocelyne visited a renowned plastic surgeon who was a friend of the family. She wanted to revitalize her appearance in order to recapture the Alec she was so desperately in love with. The first surgeries were successful, and Alec was so impressed with the results that he began to have a few alterations of his own. This happy state of affairs lasted quite some time, and Jocelyne had the feeling that things were once again back on an even keel. So it was with both shock and sadness that she learned Alec wanted to sleep with other women. Not knowing what to do, a desperate Jocelyne formulated a plan that was so audacious in its daring that she may be forgiven for failing to see its drawbacks.

Jocelyne realized that Alec loved his jungle estate, and the cats that inhabited it, more than anything else in life. So armed with this information, she returned to her plastic surgeon with an unusual request: She wanted to be transformed into one of the giant Cats that Alec loved so much. Though surprised at this unorthodox request, the surgeon did his best to comply.

After countless surgeries - no one can say with certainty just how many - Jocelyne the Alpine beauty disappeared, and "The Queen Of The Jungle" took her place. Her lips had been enlarged, and her face pulled back at the eyes to simulate a cat-eye effect. Jocelyne's appearance was indeed striking - especially as she had had her pigment darkened as well. The first time Alec saw his new wife, it is said he screamed at the sudden appearance of this startling creature that confronted him. Indeed, court documents of the divorce proceedings reveal that he said he "couldn't even recognize my own wife up close. She seems to think that you fix a face the same way you fix a house". Naturally, Jocelyne was disappointed, and returned to her plastic surgeon for more work. It is rumored that several prospective patients ran screaming from the office, so concerned were they that they would end up looking like Jocelyne. As the reader may well imagine, this did nothing to improve the poor socalite's anxiety. However, massing her ample reserves of courage, Jocelyne persevered, and hasn't stopped to this day. When questioned as to the precise number and types of surgeries she's had, she merely replies with a smile "no more or less than any other woman".

Alec was even more depressed than ever, though he had a supportive wife who had done everything she could to please him. He began to see an exotic Russian model, and the marriage irretrievably broke down. Though he blamed the affair on his wife's startling new appearance, it is clear that this is a "chicken and the egg" scenario; and Jocelyne has many well founded grievences of her own.

At the beginning of the divorce, it must be said that both partners did their best to be civil. But divorce is war, and all is fair in love and war; so it was a shocked Jocelyne who entered her New York town house one day, only to be confronted by a strange woman in a towel, and a maniacal husband that threatened to shoot her - all the while aiming a gun at her heart. Knowing what a good shot he was, Jocelyne departed in haste, and returned with the police. Charges were filed, and the relationship grew even more complicated. Neither of the two wanted to vacate the premises, presumably so as not to influence the divorce settlement; so they drew up a plan giving each sole access to certain areas of the house. Alec also meanly had her servants reduced from a staff of seven to only one. War is Hell.

Jocelyne was not about to take this lying down, and countersued Alec for a 200 million dollar settlement, as well as tens of millions of dollars in art treasures, various houses, and $200,000 a month in interim support. If the truth is to be spoken here, both marital partners became somewhat petty and entrenched in his or her position. Reacting to Jocelyne's demands, Alec reduced her further use of their jet, and she was forced to remain in isolation in New York, without the solace of her monkey - but just around the corner from her plastic surgeon.

The two now bitter enemies, it was decided that their lawyers could better do the talking for them. After a lengthy court hearing, an understanding judge awarded Jocelyne tens of millions of dollars, on the grounds that she had been unfairly cast aside by Alec while he gave his attentions to the Russian model. Though joyous, Jocelyne would have to wait a long time to see any compensation. Alec was already behind on the ordered interim support payments, and he and his new flame departed the USA for parts unknown.

Very unhappy at this state of affairs, but now officially a free woman, Jocelyne sought comfort in the arms of her financial advisor. She eventually decided to break with her past and begin anew. Thus, she auctioned off all of the jewels that Alec had given her over the years - especially the ones that reminded her of their shared passion for jungle cats. This didn't work out as she had planned, and although the auction netted her much appreciated funds, she couldn't forget the man she loved so much. Still pining for Alec, she prayed for a miracle - and was at last rewarded.

Alec, it seemed, could not get Jocelyne out of his mind or heart, and this author is happy to report that as of the beginning of July, 2000, the wayward man has at last returned to his senses and the woman he loves. Though there is still much to resolve, and both partners could clearly benefit from marital counseling, Jocelyne has triumphed in society and at love, proving that she is, indeed, "The Queen Of The Jungle". 

(Written by Jeff Woloson)

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