Amazing unseen images of 'Bride of Wildenstein's' incredible life in Africa: Fascinating photos offer new insight into the billionaire's bride dubbed 'Catwoman'

Personal photographs that belonged to the late socialite Jocelyn Wildenstein have been discovered, offering a glimpse into the early days of her marriage to her billionaire ex-husband and their family life on his cherished safari ranch.

Jocelyn passed away suddenly in Paris at the age of 84 due to a pulmonary embolism on New Year’s Eve, prompting an outpouring of tributes and memories recalling her remarkable life.

Known for her multiple cosmetic surgeries and unique facial appearance resembling a feline, Jocelyn, also known as ‘Catwoman’, captured the fascination of art dealer Alec Wildenstein with her love for wild animals.

The pair were married for 20 years and shared two children, but later made headlines around the world for Alec’s infidelity and their explosive divorce which saw Jocelyn receive a staggering $2.5billion settlement.

New pictures show the couple in happier times, spending their days at the Ol Jogi ranch where they met, raised their family and shared their passion for hunting and conservation.

Swiss-born Jocelyn met Alec – the heir of the art world’s richest and most famous family – in 1977 while on a trip with friends at his sprawling 66,000-acre estate in Kenya.

The model was aged 31 at the time and had enjoyed a glamourous lifestyle in Paris and New York, mixing with high society. 

The jetset socialite already had a soft spot for Africa before her trip and bonded with Alec over their shared passion for the continent, saying later that ‘what we both had in common was our love for Africa, wild things’. 

Describing their first encounter, she said: ‘My initial conversation with Alec was no conversation at all. It was a 5am lion hunt, and we were in the blind, all camouflaged and waiting in the bushes, not allowed to talk.’

They shared their first meal that evening – the heart of one of the lions they had hunted.

One striking picture shows Jocelyn Wildenstein posing alongside an antelope on the sprawling private estate

One striking picture shows Jocelyn Wildenstein posing alongside an antelope on the sprawling private estate

Jocelyn Wildenstein in her younger years while spending time at the ranch in Kenya

Jocelyn Wildenstein in her younger years while spending time at the ranch in Kenya

Jocelyn met art dealer Alec Wildenstein at Ol Jogi ranch in Kenya, which he part owned at the time and went on to buy

Jocelyn met art dealer Alec Wildenstein at Ol Jogi ranch in Kenya, which he part owned at the time and went on to buy

A young Jocelyn toting a gun while riding a horse, with two giraffes standing on the grassland in the background

A young Jocelyn toting a gun while riding a horse, with two giraffes standing on the grassland in the background

One picture shows the glamorous socialite by a pool in her younger years. She installed multiple swimming pools and lakes at the Kenyan ranch

One picture shows the glamorous socialite by a pool in her younger years. She installed multiple swimming pools and lakes at the Kenyan ranch

Jocelyn died suddenly from a pulmonary embolism on New Year's Eve in Paris at the age of 84 (pictured in 2017)

Jocelyn died suddenly from a pulmonary embolism on New Year’s Eve in Paris at the age of 84 (pictured in 2017)

Jocelyn said Alec then asked her to ride motorcycles up one of the mountains on the estate, to an area they called the Top of the World. 

‘That was our premier baiser – first kiss,’ she told New York magazine in a 1997 interview.

The couple’s whirlwind romance saw them marry in a Hilton hotel suite in Las Vegas with just a handful of witnesses in attendance a year later.

Jocelyn gave birth to their two children, Diane and Alec Jr., soon after, and the family spent their time between their Manhattan penthouse, compound in the British Virgin Islands and estate in Kenya.

Alec had shared the property with his friend Henry Roussell and the couple bought him out for full ownership in 1985.

The couple first took their children to the ranch when they were just a few months old, and sweet pictures show Diane and Alec Jr spending time with their parents there.

The youngsters are seen with their mother – wearing her trademark leopard print – alongside two men and a camel bedecked in flowers.

One shows the kids beaming as they celebrate a birthday with a cake in the shape of an animal.

Jocelyn made the ranch her project, renovating the main residence and overseeing the infrastructure across the huge estate.

Jocelyn wearing her trademark leopard print alongside her children Diane and Alec Jr and two men and a camel bedecked in flowers

Jocelyn wearing her trademark leopard print alongside her children Diane and Alec Jr and two men and a camel bedecked in flowers

Alec and Jocelyn pose with their children, Diane and Alec Jr, as they celebrate a birthday

Alec and Jocelyn pose with their children, Diane and Alec Jr, as they celebrate a birthday

Jocelyn is seen in her younger years exploring a bamboo forest. She regularly spoke about her love of nature

Jocelyn is seen in her younger years exploring a bamboo forest. She regularly spoke about her love of nature

Pictures show the socialite and art dealer in happier times

Pictures show the socialite and art dealer in happier times

Jocelyn had two children with Alec Wildenstein - their daughter Diane and son Alec Jr

Jocelyn had two children with Alec Wildenstein – their daughter Diane and son Alec Jr

Jocelyn was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, before moving to Paris where she began her life as a socialite

Jocelyn was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, before moving to Paris where she began her life as a socialite

Jocelyn Wildenstein and her husband Alec

Jocelyn Wildenstein and her husband Alec

She hired the architect Jon Cavanaugh, after interviewing dozens of others, because he had written his thesis on Gaudi and she did not want the home to be a modern ‘straight line’. 

She was in charge of the maintenance of the 250 miles of roads on the property as well as the installation of multiple swimming pools and some 55 man-made lakes.

Pictures show her touring the vast estate and posing alongside wild animals.

In a black and white snap she is seen toting a gun while riding a horse, with two giraffes standing on the grassland in the background.

Ol Jogi ranch was renovated by Jocelyn and its safari compound covers a staggering 66,000 acres of land

Ol Jogi ranch was renovated by Jocelyn and its safari compound covers a staggering 66,000 acres of land

Jocelyn atop an elephant while carrying one of her pets at the safari ranch

Jocelyn atop an elephant while carrying one of her pets at the safari ranch 

Jocelyn's feline look and love of wild animals earned her the nickname 'Catwoman'

Jocelyn’s feline look and love of wild animals earned her the nickname ‘Catwoman’

The estate was inherited by Alec Wildenstein Jnr, who took over its management after his father died in 2008.

Describing his love for the private safari experiences it offers, he said: ‘I hate feeling like a tourist… Here you don’t feel like a tourist.’ 

Jocelyn and Alec’s marriage famously ended after she discovered him with a Russian model in their Manhattan apartment and he chased her outside with a gun. 

She called it quits, and their messy divorce ended in 1999 with her receiving a $2.5billion settlement followed by payments of $100million a year for 13 years afterwards.

She enjoyed a lavish lifestyle and mixed with continued to mix with the rich and famous. She met fashion designer Lloyd Klein in 2003 and the pair got engaged in 2017, remaining so until her death.

The model was aged 31 when she met Alec, and had already enjoyed a glamourous lifestyle in Paris and New York, mixing with high society

The model was aged 31 when she met Alec, and had already enjoyed a glamourous lifestyle in Paris and New York, mixing with high society 

Famous for her cosmetic surgeries and distinctive facial features, Jocelyn's feline look and love of wild animals earned her the nickname 'Catwoman' - as well as the attentions of art dealer Alec Wildenstein (pictured together)

Famous for her cosmetic surgeries and distinctive facial features, Jocelyn’s feline look and love of wild animals earned her the nickname ‘Catwoman’ – as well as the attentions of art dealer Alec Wildenstein (pictured together)

The late Jocelyn and Alec Wildenstein shared a passion for hunting during their 20-year marriage

The late Jocelyn and Alec Wildenstein shared a passion for hunting during their 20-year marriage

The family spent their time between their Manhattan penthouse, compound in the British Virgin Islands and estate in Kenya

The family spent their time between their Manhattan penthouse, compound in the British Virgin Islands and estate in Kenya

Jocelyn and Alec's marriage famously ended after she discovered him with a Russian model in their Manhattan apartment and he chased her outside with a gun

Jocelyn and Alec’s marriage famously ended after she discovered him with a Russian model in their Manhattan apartment and he chased her outside with a gun

Jocelyn and Alec had a whirlwind romance - marrying a year after they met and having children soon after

Jocelyn and Alec had a whirlwind romance – marrying a year after they met and having children soon after

The couple's romance saw them marry in Las Vegas with just a handful of witnesses in attendance

The couple’s romance saw them marry in Las Vegas with just a handful of witnesses in attendance

The couple married in 1978

The couple married in 1978

Pictures appear to show Jocelyn and Alec Wildenstein being legally wed. They married in 1978

She met fashion designer Lloyd Klein in 2003 and the pair got engaged in 2017, remaining so until her death

She met fashion designer Lloyd Klein in 2003 and the pair got engaged in 2017, remaining so until her death

Throughout her life was often referred to as ‘catwoman’ as it was said she had several cosmetic procedures to make herself look like a lion or wild cat in Africa.

But following her death, her fiancé Klein rubbished those claims and said her renowned feline features were natural.

‘She never wanted to look like a cat,’ he said. ‘She always had those feline features.

‘She did have cat eyes and cheekbones and like every woman, when she wanted to have some work to make her look younger, she had a lifting, some little changes and she did whatever she wanted to do.

‘It’s her face and when she looked in the mirror, she was very happy. The stories about her wanting to look like a cat are rubbish – it is all fake.

‘Why would she want to look like a cat? She loved wild animals; she had a cheetah as a pet that would lie on the sofa because she loved the wild world. But she never wanted to look like a cat.’

You May Also Like
Val Kilmer's haunting last post revealed after Batman star's death at 65

Val Kilmer’s voice weakens in his final ‘Batman’ post just two months before passing away at 65 after a prolonged illness

After a devastating years-long battle with throat cancer and deteriorating health, Val Kilmer has…
National Burrito Day 2025: How to score free food from Chipotle, QDOBA, Moe's, and more

How to get free food from Chipotle, QDOBA, Moe’s, and other restaurants on National Burrito Day 2025

Fans nationwide can celebrate National Burrito Day at one of several beloved…
Orland Park, IL 2025 election results: Incumbent Mayor Keith Pekau concedes to challenger Jim Dodge, buoyed by Arab American vote

“Orland Park, IL 2025 Mayoral Election: Challenger Jim Dodge Wins Over Incumbent Mayor Keith Pekau with Support from Arab American Community”

ORLAND PARK, Ill. (WLS) — Orland Park is getting a new mayor…
Shocker: Covenant School Shooter Final Report Released - Attack Was Plotted for Years

Surprising Revelation: Final Report on Covenant School Shooter Unveiled – Attack Was Planned Over Several Years

The Nashville police have published their conclusive findings regarding the investigation of…
Number of Tesla attacks soars past 50 as violence targeting Musk's company escalates

Tesla has been the victim of more than 50 attacks as violence against Musk’s company intensifies

The number of reported assaults on Tesla cars, dealerships, and charging stations…
Tourist vanishes after leaving Utah airport to backpack in mountains

Tourist goes missing after leaving Utah airport to hike in mountains

Authorities in Utah are searching for a missing tourist visiting from Finland…
'Oklahoma City Bombing: One Day in America': New National Geographic docuseries gives unprecedented look at tragedy

New National Geographic series explores the Oklahoma City bombing in detail

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Thirty years ago, the deadliest act of domestic terrorism…
Liberation Day: Trump Was Right About Everything, and That Is What the So-Called Experts Resent the Most

Trump’s Accuracy on Liberation Day is What Experts Dislike the Most

President Donald Trump recently declared “Liberation Day” for America in the White…
'Fake News': Karoline Leavitt Calls Report About Elon Musk 'Garbage'

Karoline Leavitt Dismisses Report on Elon Musk as ‘Fake News’

After examining the situation, I discovered that the information provided came from…
Leading Canadian conservative says Ottawa should remove all tariffs as 'Liberation Day' arrives

A prominent Canadian conservative suggests that Ottawa eliminate all tariffs as a way to celebrate ‘Liberation Day’.

In anticipation of President Donald Trump’s planned reciprocal tariffs labeled as “Liberation…
Chicago comedian Leah Eva suffers heart attack, now warning others of the signs of cardiac arrest, heart disease | ABC7 EXCLUSIVE

Chicago Comedian Leah Eva Warns Others About Signs of Heart Attack After Personal Experience | ABC7 Exclusive

CHICAGO (WLS) — A Chicago comedian’s near-death experience is no laughing matter.…
Trump Shows Off Declaration of Independence Now Hanging Prominently in the White House

Dusty Atmosphere: WWII Veteran and MAGA Supporter Seeks Special Guest for 104th Birthday Celebration

A 104-year-old WWII veteran from Ohio is getting ready to celebrate his…