Elle Macpherson is one of the most fashionable and commercially successful supermodels in modern fashion history. Rising to global prominence during the golden age of the supermodel era, she became an international symbol of glamour, athletic elegance, and media power. Frequently mentioned alongside contemporaries such as Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell, Elle Macpherson helped define the image of 1990s high fashion while simultaneously building a long-lasting entrepreneurial empire.

Early Life and Background

Elle Macpherson was born Eleanor Nancy Gow on March 29, 1964, in Cronulla, Sydney, Australia. Her parents divorced when she was 15 years old, a formative period that shaped her independence. Her mother later married multimillionaire Neil Macpherson, whose surname she adopted and continues to use professionally.

She graduated from the University of Sydney, where she initially studied law. Modeling was not her intended path. However, at the age of 18, while vacationing in Aspen, Colorado, she was discovered by a talent scout. That chance encounter marked the beginning of a career that would soon connect her with the most powerful fashion houses, photographers, and media brands in the world.

Modeling Breakthrough and Global Recognition

After being discovered, Elle Macpherson quickly established herself in the competitive American fashion market. She became one of the leading faces of Victoria's Secret, contributing significantly to the brand’s global identity during its expansion years. Her collaborations with elite fashion photographers, including her former husband Gilles Bensimon, helped cement her international visibility.

Her worldwide fame reached a new level through her record-setting appearances on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, where she appeared five times between the 1980s and early 2000s. This achievement earned her the iconic nickname “The Body,” a moniker that became synonymous with her image and brand. Her photographs were also published in Playboy, reinforcing her reputation as one of the defining beauty figures of her generation.

Acting Career

During the 1990s, Elle Macpherson expanded into acting, appearing in both film and television. Although she was primarily known for modeling, her screen presence allowed her to collaborate with notable figures in entertainment.

She appeared in Sirens (1994), the American sitcom Friends (1994) where she played Janine Lecroix, and the Hollywood production Batman & Robin (1997). In the latter, she shared the screen within a franchise associated with high-profile actors and directors. She also featured in Jane Eyre (1996) and If Lucy Fell (1996), further diversifying her acting portfolio.

Her later television work included appearances in The Beautiful Life: TBL and serving as a mentor figure in Fashion Star, reflecting her continued influence in the fashion and entertainment industries.

Business Ventures and Entrepreneurial Expansion

Beyond modeling and acting, Elle Macpherson successfully transitioned into entrepreneurship. She launched her own lingerie brand, transforming her modeling fame into a commercially viable global product line. The brand reinforced her identity as “The Body” and established her as more than just a fashion icon.

She also introduced cosmetic products under the brand name “The Body,” capitalizing on her internationally recognized image. In the 1990s, she co-owned the Fashion Cafe in New York together with Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell. The venture became a media sensation during the height of the supermodel era but ultimately filed for bankruptcy and closed in 2000.

Personal Life

Elle Macpherson married French fashion photographer Gilles Bensimon in 1986. The marriage ended in divorce in 1989, but the relationship played a significant role in her early international modeling exposure.

From 1996 to 2005, she was in a long-term relationship with financier Arpad Busson. The couple had two sons: Arpad Flynn Alexander Busson (born 1998) and Aurelius Cy Andrea Busson (born 2003). Their relationship placed her within European high-finance social circles before they separated in 2005.

In 2013, she married businessman Jeffrey Soffer. The marriage ended in divorce on June 13, 2017. Despite changes in her personal life, Elle Macpherson has remained a consistent figure in international fashion, wellness entrepreneurship, and media culture.

Today, Elle Macpherson stands as one of the most recognizable supermodels of her generation—an enduring figure whose influence spans fashion, entertainment, and global brand development.

Source: Biyografiler.com