Early Life and Education
Eleanor Nancy Macpherson, better known as Elle Macpherson, was born on March 29, 1964, in Killara, New South Wales, Australia. She is the daughter of Peter Gow, an entrepreneur and sound engineer, and Frances Gow, a nurse. Her parents divorced when she was 10, and she moved with her mother and two siblings. She later took on her stepfather’s surname, Macpherson, due to a clerical error. Growing up in East Lindfield, Sydney, Macpherson attended Killara High School and graduated in 1981. She briefly studied law at the University of Sydney before turning her focus to modeling.

Modeling Career
Elle Macpherson’s modeling career began in 1982 when she traveled to New York City and signed with Click Model Management. Her breakthrough came through a television commercial for the soft drink Tab, which helped establish her as the “girl next door” in Australia. During the 1980s, Macpherson quickly rose to fame, appearing on the covers of major magazines like Elle, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Harper’s Bazaar. She became a key figure in the fashion industry, and her high-profile presence led to her earning the nickname “The Body” by Time magazine in 1989, after appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue a record five times (1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, and 2006).

She walked the runways for renowned designers like Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior, and Valentino and appeared in ad campaigns for major brands including Dior, Revlon, and Victoria’s Secret. In 1994, Macpherson made waves by appearing nude in Playboy magazine to control her narrative after media outlets sought to publish revealing images of her without her consent.

Business Ventures
In addition to her modeling success, Macpherson has built a significant business career. In 1990, she launched Elle Macpherson Intimates, a lingerie line created in partnership with Bendon Limited Apparel. The line became highly successful, securing its position as the top-selling lingerie brand in both Great Britain and Australia. In 1994, she expanded her entrepreneurial ventures by forming Elle Macpherson Inc. to manage her calendar, workout videos, and other business projects. She later created a beauty product line called “Elle Macpherson – The Body.”

In 2014, Macpherson co-founded WelleCo, a wellness company, and launched The Super Elixir, an alkalizing supplement. The product gained significant attention and is sold at premium retailers like Selfridges and Net-A-Porter.

Television and Film Career
Macpherson’s acting career began with the film Sirens (1994), where she appeared nude in a role alongside Hugh Grant and Sam Neill. She went on to appear in films such as Batman & Robin (1997), The Edge (1997), The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996), and South Kensington (2001). She also appeared in Friends as Joey Tribbiani’s girlfriend, Janine Lecroix, in 1999.

In addition to her acting roles, Macpherson hosted and executive produced Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model from 2010 to 2013 and served as the host and executive producer of NBC’s Fashion Star.

Personal Life
Macpherson’s personal life has been the subject of much media attention. She was married to French fashion photographer Gilles Bensimon from 1986 to 1989. In 1996, she began a relationship with financier Arpad Busson, with whom she has two sons. The couple separated in 2005. In 2009, she began dating hotel heir Jeffrey Soffer, whom she married in 2013. They divorced in 2017.

Macpherson was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, specifically HER2 positive estrogen receptor-positive ductal carcinoma in situ. Despite the recommendation for a mastectomy and chemotherapy, she opted for a lumpectomy and holistic treatments.

Philanthropy
Elle Macpherson is known for her charitable work, serving as a European Ambassador for Product Red, an initiative to raise awareness and funds for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. She is also a UNICEF ambassador and has been involved in numerous charitable campaigns supporting children’s welfare, rare diseases, and disaster relief. Macpherson is a patron for the National Association for the Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa UK) and led campaigns for International Women’s Day in 2012.

Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career, Macpherson has received numerous awards, including Glamour Magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year (2005), Lingerie Designer of the Year at the Underfashion Club’s Femmy Awards (2008), and a World Career Award from the Women’s World Awards (2009). She was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world in 1989 and continues to be recognized for her contributions to the fashion industry and her business endeavors.

Legacy and Influence
Macpherson’s career has helped redefine the role of models as entrepreneurs. Her success as a businesswoman, coupled with her iconic status as a supermodel, solidified her place in fashion history. Elle Macpherson’s nickname “The Body” has become synonymous with beauty and fitness, and she remains an influential figure in both the fashion and business worlds.

Languages and Other Interests
In addition to English, Macpherson is fluent in French, Italian, and Spanish. She has a passion for sports, is an avid skier, and has worked with some of the most famous fashion photographers, including Mario Testino and Steven Meisel.

Conclusion
From her record-breaking modeling career to her entrepreneurial ventures and philanthropy, Elle Macpherson has built a multifaceted career that transcends the fashion industry. Her legacy as “The Body” and her contributions to business, television, and charitable causes have made her a global icon.