Lloyd Klein Makes Public Appearance with Mystery Companion
Fashion designer Lloyd Klein, aged 58, was spotted at the exclusive Costes party in Paris on Tuesday evening during fashion week, accompanied by an unidentified woman. This outing marks approximately one year since the passing of his long-term partner, Swiss socialite Jocelyn Wildenstein, who died at age 84. Klein appeared stylishly dressed in jeans, a crisp white shirt, a black blazer, and loafers, linking arms with his companion as they left the event.
Remembering Jocelyn Wildenstein
In January 2025, Klein paid heartfelt tribute to Wildenstein, describing her as the "love of my life" in an interview with Page Six. He expressed profound grief, stating, "I miss her every half second and I still think I’m in a nightmare right now. All my happiness is gone." Klein emphasized that she died peacefully in her sleep during a nap on New Year's Eve, adding, "she did not suffer, and she died in full glamour."
The couple had been romantically involved since 2003, though their relationship faced turbulence, including a 2016 incident where Wildenstein was arrested for slashing Klein's face with scissors. Despite this, Klein remained devoted, calling her "fabulous" and defending her legacy against public ridicule.
Clarifying Age and Legacy
Klein attempted to clarify confusion over Wildenstein's age at death, claiming she was 79 rather than the widely reported 84. He referenced conflicting obituaries, with the Times of London citing 1940 as her birth year and the New York Times reporting 1945. Klein also disputed narratives about her finances, asserting she was "certainly not broke" at the time of her passing, contrary to reports of bankruptcy and debt issues.
The "Catwoman" Controversy
Wildenstein, dubbed "Catwoman" due to her leonine features from extensive cosmetic surgeries, became a symbol of extreme aesthetic transformation. Klein denied claims by her ex-husband, Alec N. Wildenstein, that she sought a feline appearance, stating, "She never wanted to look like a cat, she already had that look. She had beautiful cheekbones and almond-shaped cat eyes." He suggested she pioneered trends in celebrity plastic surgery, musing, "Maybe she was the first one doing what she did."
By the 1990s, her face was unrecognizable, with slanted eyes, a prominent chin, and exaggerated cheekbones. Despite this, Wildenstein once bizarrely claimed to have never undergone plastic surgery. Alec Wildenstein commented to Vanity Fair, "She was crazy. I would always find out last. She was thinking that she could fix her face like a piece of furniture. Skin does not work that way." In response, Wildenstein accused him of hiring a publicist and surgeon to fabricate stories during their divorce.
Details of Her Passing
Klein recounted the tragic moments of Wildenstein's death, explaining they took a nap to prepare for New Year's Eve celebrations. He woke to find her cold and unresponsive. He attributed her death to phlebitis, a condition causing blood clots and swelling in the legs, which led to blocked blood flow and lack of oxygen to the brain. Klein noted her grandmother had the same condition, but emphasized Wildenstein was in "impeccable health" and "very happy" beforehand, enjoying parties at the Ritz and Chanel fashion week events in Paris.
Financial Rise and Fall
Wildenstein became one of the world's wealthiest individuals after her 1999 divorce from Alec N. Wildenstein, receiving a reported $2.5 billion settlement plus $100 million annually. However, she reportedly lost her fortune through lavish spending and cosmetic procedures, filing for bankruptcy in 2018 and having luxury apartments repossessed. In a 2023 interview, she claimed zero income for eight years, blaming Alec's family for cutting off payments after his 2008 death.
Klein attributed her financial woes to a forged Diego Velázquez painting in her divorce settlement and a Cézanne that sold far below expectations. He stated, "She would not have one problem if they had not given her a fake painting." Despite debt issues, including a $344,000 unpaid debt leading to legal threats, Klein said her estate attorneys are handling remaining assets, with any proceeds going to her children, Diane and Alec Jr.
Klein's Personal Reflections
Klein, a couturier with clients like Jane Fonda and Kim Kardashian, insisted he was not with Wildenstein for money, seeking only "dignity" for her after death. He described caring for her in her final years, saying, "I gave her everything I could to please her. We kept life beautiful, happy. If this is not love, I don’t know what you can call it." He revealed they attended a nighttime mass in Paris before her death, where she received a priest's blessing, and joked about sharing a tomb like ancient Egyptians, comparing themselves to Marc Antony and Cleopatra.
Klein has not spoken with Wildenstein's children since her death, but praised her as a mother, stating, "She did everything possible for her kids. She took them all over the world … She was the best mother one would want to have." He hopes to scatter her ashes at her ranch in Kenya alongside her parents, honoring her memory and complex legacy.
