Jocelyn Wildenstein, the socialite famous for her extensive plastic surgeries, tragically passed away on December 31, 2024, at the age of 84. Her longtime partner, Lloyd Klein, recently spoke with PEOPLE about the heartbreaking events leading to her death, revealing how they spent their final hours together. Klein described the shock he felt upon learning of Wildenstein’s passing, which came unexpectedly while she was asleep.
According to Klein, the couple had a peaceful and joyful evening together before her death. They enjoyed a happy hour as they prepared for the upcoming New Year celebrations, taking a short nap to rest before getting dressed. Tragically, it was during this nap that Wildenstein passed away.
Klein shared that the cause of her death was phlebitis, a condition involving inflammation of a vein. This inflammation can result from vein damage or a blood clot that blocks blood flow, which ultimately causes oxygen deprivation in the brain. Klein recalled how Wildenstein’s legs had been “very, very swollen,” a sign of the blood clotting that led to her condition. When Klein woke up from their nap and tried to rouse her, he discovered that she had passed away, finding her body cold.
“It’s extremely sad to lay down with your other half, someone I’ve known for 21 years, and be waiting to celebrate New Year’s Eve only to find her cold,” Klein expressed, deeply grieving the sudden loss. Despite her health condition, Klein said that Wildenstein had seemed fine the night before, when the two had been celebrating at the Ritz. He also mentioned that Wildenstein’s grandmother had suffered from a similar health issue.
The world lost a remarkable figure with Wildenstein’s passing, and Klein’s words reflect the profound sadness of losing someone he had shared so much of his life with.