View source for Elle Macpherson

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{{Short description|Australian model and actress (born 1964)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox model
| name         = Elle Macpherson
| image        = Elle Macpherson 2011.jpg
| caption      = Macpherson in Sydney in 2011
| birth_name   = Eleanor Nancy Gow
| birth_date   = {{Birth date and age|1964|3|29|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity/supermodel-elle-macpherson-still-stunning-at-50-20140329-35q32.html|title=Supermodel Elle Macpherson still stunning at 50|work=Sydney Morning Herald|first=Jenny Ann|last=Low|date=30 March 2014|access-date=6 July 2014|archive-date=9 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609142352/http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity/supermodel-elle-macpherson-still-stunning-at-50-20140329-35q32.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biographies/elle-macpherson.html |title=BIOGRAPHY: Elle Macpherson Lifetime |publisher=Thebiographychannel.co.uk |date=29 March 1964 |access-date=8 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219050145/http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biographies/elle-macpherson.html |archive-date=19 December 2013  }}</ref>
| birth_place  = [[Killara]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
| death_date   =
| death_place  =
| height       = {{height|cm=182}}
| haircolour   = Light brown<ref name="fmd">[http://www.fashionmodeldirectory.com/models/Elle_MacPherson Elle Macpherson profile at fashionmodeldirectory.com]; retrieved 8 August 2008.</ref>
| eyecolour    = Brown<ref name="fmd"/>
| website      = 
| spouse       = {{married|[[Gilles Bensimon]]|1986|1989|end=divorced}}<br>{{married|Jeffrey Soffer|2013|2017|end=sep.}}
| partner      = [[Arpad Busson]] (1996–2005)<br>[[Andrew Wakefield]] (2017–2019)
| children     = 2
| relatives    = [[Mimi Macpherson]] (sister)
| agency       = {{Plainlist|
* d'management group (Milan)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dmanagementgroup.com/en/special-bookings-direct?view=nwtalent&id=1039&sect=7&au=1|title=Elle MacPherson|website=www.dmanagementgroup.com}}</ref>
* Kruger Cowne (London, Los Angeles, Nice, Hong Kong)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.krugercowne.com/elle-macpherson/|title=Elle Macpherson Agent & Speaker|website=Kruger Cowne Ltd}}</ref> }}
}}

'''Eleanor Nancy Macpherson''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ə|k|ˈ|f|ɜr|s|ən}} {{respell|mək|FUR|sən}}; {{née|'''Gow'''}}; born {{birth date|1964|3|29|df=y}}) is an Australian model, businesswoman, television host, and actress.

She is known for her record five cover appearances for the ''[[Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue]]'' beginning in the 1980s, leading to her nickname "The Body", coined by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' in 1989. She is the founder, primary model, and creative director for a series of business ventures, including Elle Macpherson Intimates, a lingerie line, and The Body, a line of skin care products. She was the host and executive producer of ''[[Britain & Ireland's Next Top Model]]'' from 2010 to 2013. She is an executive producer of [[NBC]]'s ''[[Fashion Star]]'' and was the host for the [[Fashion Star (season 1)|first season]].

As an actress, Macpherson appeared in supporting roles in ''[[Sirens (1994 film)|Sirens]]'' (1994), ''[[The Mirror Has Two Faces]]'' (1996) and as [[Julie Madison]] in ''[[Batman & Robin (film)|Batman and Robin]]'' (1997) as well as lead roles in ''[[The Edge (1997 film)|The Edge]]'' (1997) and  ''[[South Kensington (film)|South Kensington]]'' (2001). She had a recurring role on ''[[Friends]]'' and hosted an episode of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.

==Early life==
Macpherson was born Eleanor Nancy Gow in [[Killara, New South Wales]], on 29 March 1964, the daughter of entrepreneur and sound engineer Peter Gow, a former president of the [[Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks]], a [[National Rugby League|Sydney rugby league]] team, and Frances Gow, a nurse.<ref>timeout magazine "Colourful Sydney Identity #50", 19 November 2008 edition</ref> She is of [[Scottish people|Scottish]] descent.{{fact|date=December 2020}} Macpherson's parents divorced when she was 10 years old, and she moved with her mother and two siblings. Her mother later remarried, and a clerical mistake in registering at her new school meant that her surname was changed from Gow to Macpherson, her stepfather's surname.<ref name="Davidson2008">{{Cite news|last=Davidson|first=Andrew|title=Elle Macpherson looks good with Intimates|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times]]|date=23 March 2008|url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/consumer_goods/article3601582.ece|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110612003800/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/consumer_goods/article3601582.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 June 2011|location=London, UK}}</ref><ref name="above">''Above'' Magazine (Fall 2008). "Body Talk with Elle Macpherson", pp. 16–31</ref>

Macpherson grew up in East Lindfield, a suburb in [[North Shore (Sydney)|Sydney's North Shore]], and attended [[Killara High School]], completing her [[Higher School Certificate (New South Wales)|Higher School Certificate]] in 1981. Her sister is businesswoman and environmentalist [[Mimi Macpherson]], born Miriam Frances Gow.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/mimi-declared-bankrupt/2008/12/18/1229189757920.html|work=Sydney Morning Herald|title=Mimi Macpherson declared bankrupt|date=18 December 2008}}</ref>

==Career==
===Rise to fame as model===
Macpherson enrolled to study law at the [[University of Sydney]]. Before beginning her university studies, she visited the United States to spend one year doing modelling work to earn money to pay for her law books.<ref>{{cite web|title=Elle's Law|url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/100702-elle-macphersons-wanted-to-be-a-la.aspx|last=Sowray|first=Bibby|date=2 July 2010|work=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]|access-date=18 January 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707234814/http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/100702-elle-macphersons-wanted-to-be-a-la.aspx|archive-date=7 July 2010}}</ref> She travelled to New York City, where she initially signed up with Click Model Management. Her modelling career began in 1982 with a television commercial for [[Tab (soft drink)|Tab]] which established her as a "[[girl next door]]" figure in Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lifelounge.com/Elle-Macpherson-Tab-Commercial.aspx |title=Elle Macpherson Tab Commercial |publisher=Lifelounge |date=11 June 2007 |access-date=28 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016135713/http://www.lifelounge.com/elle-macpherson-tab-commercial.aspx |archive-date=16 October 2009  }}</ref>
[[File:Elle Macpherson - Daily News (1987).jpg|thumb|upright|Macpherson in 1987]]

During the 1980s, Macpherson's profile quickly rose, and she appeared on the cover and in the pages of major magazines including ''[[Elle (magazine)|Elle]]'', ''[[Harper's Bazaar]]'', ''[[Marie Claire]]'', [[Vogue (magazine)|''Vogue'']],  ''[[Cosmopolitan magazine|Cosmopolitan]]'', ''[[Tatler]]'', ''[[GQ]]'', ''[[Allure (magazine)|Allure]], [[Mademoiselle (magazine)|Mademoiselle]]'', ''[[Glamour (magazine)|Glamour]]'', [[Time (magazine)|''Time'']], ''[[L'Officiel]]'', ''[[Flare (magazine)|Flare]]'', ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'' and [[New York (magazine)|''New York'']].<ref>{{cite web|title=Elle Macpherson profile|url=http://www.fashionmodeldirectory.com/models/Elle_Macpherson/|work=FashionModelDirectory.com|access-date=4 February 2012}}</ref> She cemented her high-profile image through frequent appearances in ''Elle''; she was featured on numerous covers and appeared in every issue for six straight years. During that time, at the age of 21, she married [[Gilles Bensimon]], the creative director of ''Elle''.<ref name="es">''Evening Standard'', 23 April 2004, pp. 30–33: "Before starting college, Elle went on a skiing trip to [[Aspen, Colorado]]. On the way home, she was persuaded by her Australian modelling booker to stop off in New York City to see if she could get some work. She stayed for 20&nbsp;years, marrying the photographer Gilles Bensimon at 21. She was his muse, but the age difference ... proved to be too great, and they divorced six years later (1989)."</ref> In 1985, Macpherson became the longtime face of luxury French skin care company [[Biotherm]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biotherm.com.my/about-biotherm |title=About Biotherm – 1985 |publisher=[[Biotherm]] |access-date=1 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617190228/http://biotherm.com.my/about-biotherm |archive-date=17 June 2015  }}.</ref>

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{{external media|width=200px|image1=[http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/si_online/covers/images/1986/0210_large.jpg Macpherson's Sports Illustrated] [[Swimsuit Issue]] cover, 10 February 1986|image2=[http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/si_online/covers/images/1987/0209_large.jpg Macpherson's Sports Illustrated] [[Swimsuit Issue]] cover from 9 February 1987|image3=[http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/si_online/covers/images/1988/0215_large.jpg Macpherson's Sports Illustrated] [[Swimsuit Issue]] cover from 15 February 1988
|image4=[http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/si_online/covers/images/1994/0214_large.jpg Macpherson's Sports Illustrated] [[Swimsuit Issue]] cover from 14 February 1994
|image5=[http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/si_online/covers/images/2006/0217_large.jpg Macpherson's Sports Illustrated] [[Swimsuit Issue]] cover from 17 February 2006}}
-->
Eventually she garnered more exposure through ''Sports Illustrated'' magazine's annual [[Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue|Swimsuit Issue]]. She appeared on the cover a record five times: 1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, and 2006.

She has walked the runways for [[Louis Vuitton]], [[Ralph Lauren]], [[Azzedine Alaïa]], [[Donna Karan]], [[Christian Dior]], [[Thierry Mugler]], [[Nicole Miller]], [[Michael Kors (brand)|Michael Kors]], [[Perry Ellis]], [[Kenzo (brand)|Kenzo]], [[Todd Oldham]], [[Calvin Klein]], [[John Galliano]], and [[Valentino (fashion designer)|Valentino]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yahoo.com/beauty/the-body-at-50-how-elle-macphersons-redefining-99678787568.html|title="The Body" at 50: How Elle MacPherson's Redefining Aging|first=Bobbi|last=Brown|work=Yahoo Beauty|date=13 October 2014 |access-date=18 May 2015}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/ftimages/2008/03/28/1206207357717.html|title=Elle Macpherson: still the greatest|work=The Age|access-date=18 May 2015}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.russhmagazine.com/profiles/models/elle-macpherson-1/|title=Elle MacPherson|first=Jess|last=Blanch|work=RUSSH|access-date=18 May 2015}}.</ref>

She has appeared in advertising campaigns for [[Christian Dior]], [[Escada]], [[Enrico Coveri]], [[Azzedine Alaïa]], [[Guy Laroche]], [[Ralph Lauren]], [[Puig (company)|Victorio & Lucchino]], [[Omega SA|Omega]], [[Pinko (fashion)|Pinko]], [[H&M]], [[Victoria's Secret]], ModelCo and [[Revlon]]. She also appeared in non-fashion advertising campaigns for [[Diet Coke]], [[Chrysler]], [[Miller Lite]], [[Impulse (body mist)|Impulse]], [[Budweiser]], [[Tab (soft drink)|Tab]], [[KFC]], [[Garuda Airlines]], and the [[Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group]].

After appearing nude in the 1994 film ''[[Sirens (1994 film)|Sirens]]'', Macpherson learned that the media had begun searching for nude photos of her, including contacting her ex-boyfriends. To address this, Macpherson appeared in a nude pictorial in the May 1994 issue of ''[[Playboy]]'' magazine, shot by [[Herb Ritts]], to produce nude photos "on her own terms".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a352781/elle-macpherson-i-posed-naked-for-playboy-on-my-terms/|title=Elle Macpherson posed nude on own terms|first=Mayer|last=Nissim|date=24 November 2011|website=Digital Spy}}</ref> In 1999, the twin island nation of [[Antigua and Barbuda]] honoured Macpherson by using her face on a series of postage stamps, the first model to appear on legal tender.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://swimsuit.si.com/swimnews/where-are-they-now-elle-macpherson | title=Where Are They Now? Elle Macpherson | date=14 September 2022 }}</ref> Macpherson appeared among other Australian icons during the [[2000 Summer Olympics closing ceremony]], her elaborate float resembling a camera lens and featuring a runway.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/mob/collection/database//?irn=501298&search=sydney&images=&wloc=&c=1&s=0|title=Documentation (design drawings, design concepts, and photographs), paper, Elle Macpherson float, Parade of Icons, Closing Ceremony for the Olympic Games|work=Powerhouse Museum|access-date=4 May 2015}}</ref>  Along with [[Naomi Campbell]], she co-hosted the [[Miss Universe 2001]] pageant. Her popularity had reached such a level that Australian government offered her a position on its tourist commission as an unofficial ambassador.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nymag.com/fashion/models/emacpherson/ellemacpherson|title=Elle Macpherson – Fashion Model|work=New York Magazine|access-date=23 September 2010}}</ref>

During her career, Macpherson has worked with [[fashion photographer]]s including [[Francesco Scavullo]], [[Mario Testino]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/magazine/archive/issue/2004/October|title=Vogue Magazine Archive – October 2004|publisher=[[British Vogue]]|access-date=29 May 2015}}.</ref> [[Mert and Marcus]], [[Ellen von Unwerth]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popsugar.com/fashion/photo-gallery/28918810/image/28918841/Shot-Ellen-von-Unwerth-1994|title=Elle Macpherson Is 50 (Believe It!) — a Look at Her Sexiest Editorials|work=POPSUGAR Fashion |publisher=[[PopSugar]]|access-date=1 June 2015 |last1=Khederian |first1=Robert }}.</ref> and [[Steven Meisel]]. Portraits of Macpherson, shot by [[Bob Carlos Clarke]], were among those donated to the [[National Portrait Gallery, London]] by his family following his death.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/rarely-seen-celebrity-portraits-by-top-irish-photographer-donated-to-london-gallery-29499084.html|title=Rarely seen celebrity portraits by top Irish photographer donated to London gallery|date=14 August 2013|access-date=12 September 2015}}.</ref> Macpherson received the Style Icon award at the 2006 [[Elle Style Awards]] presented by fashion magazine ''Elle''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/UK-Elle-Style-Awards/f8aa20f87642a771d3378cf7afe06cd5?current=8&hits=7&query=ireland&orderBy=Relevance&referrer=search&search=%2fsearch%3fquery%3direland%26allFilters%3dFashion%3aSubject%2cFashion%3aKeyword%2cJonathan%2520Saunders%3aPeople&page=1&b=&allFilters=Fashion:Subject,Fashion:Keyword,Jonathan%20Saunders:People|title=UK Elle Style Awards, Associated Press Archive|date=19 February 2006|access-date=2 May 2015}}.</ref> In March 2008, she signed a three-year deal with [[Revlon]] Cosmetics, which named her a Global Brand Ambassador.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/beauty-features/revlon-taps-macpherson-as-global-ambassador-460056?full=true|title=Revlon Taps Macpherson As Global Ambassador|work=[[Women's Wear Daily|WWD]]|date=27 March 2008|access-date=7 June 2012}}</ref> She has since been featured in print and advertising campaigns for the company. She returned to the runway in 2010 to close the fall [[Louis Vuitton]] show for Marc Jacobs in Paris.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.look.co.uk/fashion/elle-macpherson-closes-the-louis-vuitton-2010-show |title=Elle Macpherson Closes The Louis Vuitton 2010 Show! |work=[[Look (UK magazine)|Look]] |access-date=7 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011202148/http://www.look.co.uk/fashion/elle-macpherson-closes-the-louis-vuitton-2010-show |archive-date=11 October 2012  }}</ref>

===Business career===
[[File:Elle Macpherson08.jpg|thumb|left|Macpherson in September 2008 at Fashion Fest]]
In the 1980s, together with [[Linda Evangelista]], [[Christy Turlington]], [[Tatjana Patitz]], [[Naomi Campbell]], [[Pavlína Pořízková]], and [[Cindy Crawford]], Macpherson became part of the new generation of supermodels. In 1989, she was given the nickname Elle "The Body" Macpherson by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine after she appeared on their cover. She went on to use the name in a number of business ventures.<ref name="kugelmacpherson">{{cite news|title=Elle Macpherson: Unabashed Passion, Ageless Beauty & Creating the Next Fashion Star|first=Allison|last=Kugel|author-link=Allison Kugel|url=http://www.pr.com/article/1195|publisher=PR.com|date=20 December 2011|access-date=12 March 2012}}</ref> In 1996, Frank DeCaro of ''[[The New York Times]]'' cited Macpherson, along with Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, [[Helena Christensen]] and [[Claudia Schiffer]] as "The Magnificent Seven". DeCaro reflected, "Known by their first names to legions of fans, they are the legends of the modern catwalk, the girl next door pretty underneath all the paint".<ref name="DeCaromacpherson">{{cite news|title=Supermodels Hot As Ever Or On Ice?; No Stars Means No Sizzle|first=Frank|last=DeCaro|author-link=Frank DeCaro|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/21/style/supermodels-hot-as-ever-or-on-ice-no-stars-means-no-sizzle.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=21 April 1996|access-date=27 May 2015}}</ref>

In 1994, she left her agency, [[Ford Models]], to form her own company, Elle Macpherson Inc., which would serve as the financial organizational base for her later endeavours. She soon went on to produce her own series of calendars, each of which was accompanied by a "making of" television program in 1992, 1993, and 1994. She used this as a springboard to create the "Your Personal Best – The Body" series of workout videos.{{cn|date=November 2020}}

She later diversified her portfolio of businesses, and in 1990 launched her lingerie collection 'Elle Macpherson Intimates' in partnership with [[Bendon Group|Bendon Limited Apparel]]. Intimates became the single best-selling lingerie line in both Great Britain<ref>''The Sunday Times Business'', 23 March 2008, p. 17: "Macpherson, supermodel-turned-lingerie queen, has made that her leitmotif. Elle Macpherson Intimates range is the biggest selling brand of fashion lingerie in Britain."</ref> and Australia.<ref>''[[Tatler (1901)|Tatler]]'', July 2002, vol. 297, num. 7, pp. 98–107: "We're going through Elle's underwear. This is what she does. She designs knickers and bras. She's very good at it, very successful. It makes her more money than modelling, and Elle has made a lot of money modeling."</ref>

The partnership was among the first instances of a crossover between a model and a fashion label. In 1989, when she was first approached by Bendon to promote their lingerie in Australia, Macpherson saw an opportunity to reverse their strategy and suggested a licensing arrangement, with products bearing her name and designs created in partnership with Bendon's team. Though commonplace now, the idea was unorthodox at the time.<ref>{{cite news|author=Rebecca Gonsalves|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/a-head-for-business-and-a-body-for-lingerie-6275570.html|title=A head for business and a body for lingerie|work=[[The Independent]]|location=UK|date=12 December 2011|access-date=7 June 2012}}</ref>

Macpherson took a significant role in the development and management of the company, serving as [[chief marketing officer]] and later Creative Director. In January 2010, Macpherson expanded the line, launching Obsidian as a sub-brand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://main.stylelist.com/2009/08/31/elle-macpherson-intimates-launching-luxury-line-obsidian-for-s|title=Elle Macpherson Intimates Launching Luxury Line 'Obsidian' for Spring 2010 – StyleList|publisher=Main.stylelist.com|date=31 August 2009|access-date=7 June 2012|archive-date=24 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824055308/http://main.stylelist.com/2009/08/31/elle-macpherson-intimates-launching-luxury-line-obsidian-for-s/|url-status=dead}}</ref> While nursing her second child, she spearheaded the development of a signature maternity bra line.<ref name=WSJE>''[[The Wall Street Journal Europe]]'', Style Journal, Winter 2006 Edition, pp. 36–42: "And so, Macpherson made the transition from model, to designer and chief marketing officer for the growing product line. The company credits her with the ideas for many products, including its successful maternity-bra line, which Macpherson designed while nursing her second child."</ref> Intimates has retained a high [[Brand awareness|brand recognition]] into the 2000s, appearing as a featured brand on ''[[America's Next Top Model]]''; last year, the brand celebrated 10&nbsp;years of being stocked at [[Selfridges]]. {{citation needed|date=September 2014}}

Macpherson has also created her own line of beauty products: "Elle Macpherson – The Body". The line was carried at [[Boots UK|Boots]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.fashion.popsugar.com/2302422|title=Supermodel Elle Macpherson The Body Relaunches at Boots. Bath and Body Care Products. Photo|publisher=Uk.fashion.popsugar.com|access-date=23 September 2010|archive-date=17 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217185933/http://uk.fashion.popsugar.com/2302422|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Australian suncare brand Invisible Zinc.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,23012379-2761,00.html|work=The Sunday Times|title=Elle Macpherson is new face of WA sunscreen|first=Katherine|last=Danks|date=4 January 2008}}</ref> She spent a year on the board of directors at [[Hot Tuna Clothing]], advising on product development, brand positioning and sales strategy.<ref>{{cite news|author=Staff|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jul-11-fi-briefs11.4-story.html|title=Elle Macpherson Hired as Hot Tuna Director|work=Los Angeles Times|date=11 July 2006|access-date=20 June 2012}}</ref>

In 2007, the [[BBC]] TV series ''[[The Money Programme]]'' aired a documentary which followed Macpherson through her day-to-day business as she continued to develop her international lingerie business. In 2009 Macpherson delivered the Keynote Address at the annual meeting of the [[International Trademark Association]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Staff|url=http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2009/05/Elle_Macpherson_on_state_of_the_Internet_and_future_of_economy_45268102.html|title=Elle Macpherson on the State of the Internet and Future of the Economy|publisher=Techflash.com|date=2 April 2012|access-date=20 June 2012}}</ref>

In 2014, Macpherson co-founded WelleCo, and released its flagship product, an alkalising wellness supplement, ''The Super Elixir''. The product, sold at retailers including [[Selfridges]] in London and the premium online retailer, [[Net-A-Porter]] has celebrity fans including [[Kate Moss]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.welleco.com/pages/our-story |title=About WelleCo – Our Story |publisher=welleco.com }}</ref>

====Awards====
Macpherson has received a number of awards recognising her business acumen and the success of Elle Macpherson Intimates. In 2005, she was named Glamour Magazine's Entrepreneur of the Year;<ref>{{cite web|author=Glamour |url=http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/celebrity/celebrity-news/2005/06/08/women-of-the-year-winners |title=All the winners from the 2005 GLAMOUR Women of the Year Awards |work=[[Glamour (magazine)|Glamour UK]] |location=UK |access-date=7 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530002153/http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/celebrity/celebrity-news/2005/06/08/women-of-the-year-winners |archive-date=30 May 2012 }}</ref> in 2007, she received an Everywoman Ambassador Award recognising her success as a businesswoman;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.everywoman.com/ewawards/finalists|title=NatWest everywoman Awards Finalists|work=Everywoman.com|date=2 April 2012|access-date=7 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621162455/http://www.everywoman.com/ewawards/finalists|archive-date=21 June 2012}}</ref> in 2008, the [[Underfashion Club]]'s Femmy Awards crowned her Lingerie Designer of the Year and in 2009, she received a World Career Award from the Women's World Awards.

===Acting career===
[[File:ElleMacphersonOct2011.jpg|thumb|Macpherson (centre) modelling for Virgin Australia in October 2011]]
Macpherson had her breakout role playing an artist's model in the 1994 film ''[[Sirens (1994 film)|Sirens]]'', which starred [[Hugh Grant]], [[Sam Neill]], and [[Tara FitzGerald]]. She also acted in a number of other film roles, appearing in films such as [[Woody Allen]]'s ''[[Alice (1990 film)|Alice]]'', ''[[Batman & Robin (film)|Batman & Robin]]'' alongside [[George Clooney]], ''[[The Edge (1997 film)|The Edge]]'' with [[Anthony Hopkins]], and ''[[The Mirror Has Two Faces]]'' with [[Barbra Streisand]]. In 1996 Macpherson hosted an episode of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hulu.com/watch/199230|title=Saturday Night Live hosted by Elle Macpherson|publisher=Hulu.com|access-date=20 June 2012}}</ref>

In 1999, Macpherson appeared in five episodes of the American TV series ''[[Friends]]'' as [[Joey Tribbiani]]'s roommate and eventual girlfriend, Janine Lecroix. Macpherson went on to act in the movie ''[[Jane Eyre (1996 film)|Jane Eyre]]'' with [[William Hurt]], and she has also appeared alongside [[Ben Stiller]] and [[Sarah Jessica Parker]] in ''[[If Lucy Fell]]''. Her most controversial acting role was in the [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] cable network [[miniseries]], ''A Girl Thing'', as a woman experimenting with [[bisexuality]]. In 2001, she appeared in the Italian movie ''[[South Kensington (film)|South Kensington]]''. She played agent Claudia Foster in ''[[The Beautiful Life]]'', appearing with [[Mischa Barton]], [[Sara Paxton]] and [[Corbin Bleu]]. The show centred on aspiring models working for a modelling agency, trying to make it big in New York City and in the fashion world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cwtv.com/shows/the-beautiful-life/cast |title=''The Beautiful Life'' |publisher=The CW Television Network |access-date=23 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090816083604/http://cwtv.com/shows/the-beautiful-life/cast |archive-date=16 August 2009  }}</ref> In April 2011, she starred with [[Gary Lineker]] in an advertisement for [[Walkers (snack foods)|Walkers]] Crinkles.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.talkingretail.com/products-news/crisps-snacks/elle-macpherson-and-gary-lineker-front-walkers-crinkles-campaign-06-05-2011/|title=Elle Macpherson and Gary Lineker front Walkers Crinkles' campaign|work=Talking Retail|location=UK|date=6 May 2011|access-date=29 December 2018}}</ref>

=== Hosting career ===

====''Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model''====
In July 2010, Macpherson became the new host of ''[[Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model]]'', taking over from [[Lisa Snowdon]]. She also serves as executive producer on the show. The revamped show's panellists now include [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]]-winning fashion designer [[Julien Macdonald]], designer [[Whitney Port]] and male model [[Tyson Beckford]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8491010.stm "Elle Macpherson takes over Britain's Next Top Model"], BBC News, 1 February 2010</ref>

====''Fashion Star''====
Macpherson hosts and executive produces [[NBC]]'s reality competition series ''[[Fashion Star]]''. The series gives 14 unknown designers, mentored by celebrities such as [[Jessica Simpson]], [[Nicole Richie]], and [[John Varvatos]], the chance to launch their collections in three of America's largest clothing retailers, including [[Macy's]], [[H&M]], and [[Saks Fifth Avenue]]. Its first season was sold to 75 countries.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/miptv-fashion-star-elle-macpherson-jessica-simpson-306893|title=MIPTV 2012: 'Fashion Star' Generates Global Buzz|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=4 February 2012|access-date=7 June 2012|first=Rebecca|last=Leffler}}</ref>

===Extortion attempt===
According to a police statement reproduced online, between 11 and 22 July 1997 William Ryan Holt and Michael Mischler broke into Macpherson's Los Angeles home while she was away on business in Chicago.<ref>{{cite web|author=Staff|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/ellemac1.html|title=Go To Elle: Macpherson Helps Nab Dirty Duo|website=The Smoking Gun|date=28 June 1997|access-date=7 June 2012}}</ref> They stole an estimated $100,000 worth of jewellery, $6,000 in cash, and several photographs. The two were arrested on 4 August 1997. Mischler, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted extortion and one count of burglary. He received a six-year and eight-month prison sentence. Holt, 26, a former [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]] enlisted man and a military-justice convict out on parole, pleaded guilty to one count of extortion, and was sentenced to a year in prison.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ca.eonline.com/news/35591/elle-s-extortionists-plead-guilty|title=Elle's Extortionists Plead Guilty|last=Errico|first=Marcus|date=4 December 1997|work=E!|access-date=16 June 2013}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Macpherson dated [[Billy Joel]] during the early 1980s. Joel has said that the songs "[[This Night (Billy Joel song)|This Night]]" and "[[And So It Goes]]" were written about his relationship with Macpherson.<ref name="Ch5Interview">{{YouTube|0KzbWdxgaMI|"Billy Joel – a funny UK interview 1998-9"}}. (UK) Channel Five. ''Rev Live''. YouTube (uploaded 6 April 2008).</ref> Macpherson is also believed to be at least part of the inspiration for Joel's track "[[Uptown Girl]]".<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Woman's Day|url=http://www.womansday.com.au/celebrity/australian-celebrities/billy-joels-uptown-girl-revealed-as-elle-macpherson-not-christie-brinkley-6213|date=29 October 2015|title=Billy Joel's 'Uptown Girl' revealed as Elle Macpherson NOT Christie Brinkley!}}</ref>

Macpherson met French fashion photographer [[Gilles Bensimon]] in 1984 on a photo session for ''Elle'' magazine. They wed in May 1986, and divorced three years later.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=What's The Big Deal?|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1068197/2/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916015435/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1068197/2/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 September 2013|first=E.M.|last=Swift|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=7 February 1989}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|journal=Lakeland Ledger|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0qlOAAAAIBAJ&pg=1086,2191814&dq=bensimon|date=5 June 1986|page=2A|title=TIPOFF: When fashion photographer Gilles Bensimon...}}</ref>

Macpherson began a relationship with financier [[Arpad Busson]] in 1996.<ref name="people2005">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1076842,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320022849/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1076842,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 March 2008|title= Supermodel Elle Macpherson, Partner Split|magazine=People|date=24 June 2005|access-date=17 July 2013|last=Silverman|first=Stephen M.}}</ref> They have two sons.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/02/17/elle-macpherson-gives-birth-to-son-in-manhattan/|title= Elle Macpherson Gives Birth To Son in Manhattan|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=17 February 1998|access-date=17 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/02/06/1044318708916.html|title= Elle's new baby Aurelius|publisher=Associated Press via [[The Sun-Herald]]d|date=7 February 2003|access-date=17 July 2013}}</ref> The family lived together in London until their separation in July 2005.<ref name="people2005"/>

Macpherson subsequently began dating [[Miami, Florida]]-based hotel heir and billionaire Jeffrey Soffer, son of [[Donald Soffer]], in early 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/who/article/-/18363434/elle-macpherson-marries-jeffrey-soffer/ |title=Elle Macpherson Marries Jeffrey Soffer |work=Who |date=5 August 2013 |access-date=7 August 2013 |last1=Hallett |first1=Kate |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808082606/http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/who/article/-/18363434/elle-macpherson-marries-jeffrey-soffer/ |archive-date= 8 August 2013  }}</ref> They broke up in March 2012,<ref name="usweekly2013">{{cite news|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/elle-macpherson-engaged-to-billionaire-jeffrey-soffer-2013103|title= Elle Macpherson Engaged to Billionaire Jeffrey Soffer!|work=Us Weekly|date=10 March 2013|access-date=3 August 2013|last=Johnson|first=Zach}}</ref> but reconciled following his injury in a helicopter accident in November 2012.<ref name="usweekly2013"/> They became engaged in March 2013,<ref name="usweekly2013"/> and married in July 2013 at the Laucala Resort in [[Fiji]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/elle-macpherson-married-to-billionaire-jeffrey-soffer-201338|title= Elle Macpherson Married to Billionaire Jeffrey Soffer!|work=Us Weekly|date=3 August 2013|access-date=3 August 2013|last=Galla|first=Brittany}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/celebrity/elle-macpherson-marries-jeffrey-soffer/|title=Elle Macpherson Marries Jeffrey Soffer|work=People|date=5 August 2013|access-date=7 August 2013|last1=Blumm|first1=K.C.|first2=Linda|last2=Marx}}</ref> 

In 2017, Macpherson and Soffer announced that they were getting a divorce.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/celebrity/elle-macpherson-splits-billionaire-husband-jeffrey-soffer/|title=Elle Macpherson Splits From Billionaire Husband Jeffrey Soffer After Nearly 4 Years of Marriage|work=People|author=Katherine Richter|date=13 June 2017|access-date=29 December 2018}}</ref> That same year, Macpherson underwent treatment for [[breast cancer]], specifically [[HER2]] positive [[estrogen receptor]] positive [[ductal carcinoma in situ]]. Her doctors recommended a [[mastectomy]], [[chemotherapy]], [[hormone therapy]], and [[breast reconstruction]] surgery, but she decided to have a [[lumpectomy]] instead of mastectomy, followed by [[alternative medicine|holistic medicine]] instead of chemotherapy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Saad |first1=Nardine |title=Elle Macpherson explains why a holistic approach to breast cancer treatment worked for her |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2024-09-03/elle-macpherson-breast-cancer-chemotherapy-holistic-care |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=3 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926074331/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2024-09-03/elle-macpherson-breast-cancer-chemotherapy-holistic-care |archive-date=26 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgkypk530lyo|title=Elle McPherson reveals she had breast cancer|work=BBC News|first=Emma|last=Saunders|date=3 September 2024|access-date=3 September 2024}}</ref>

From 2017 to 2019, Macpherson dated the British fraudster, anti-vaccine activist and disgraced former physician [[Andrew Wakefield]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Caulfield |first=Timothy |date=31 July 2018 |title=Elle Macpherson, "anti-vaxx" nonsense, and the opportunity to engage |url=https://www.bmj.com/content/362/bmj.k3255 |journal=[[The BMJ]] |language=en |volume=362 |pages=k3255 |doi=10.1136/bmj.k3255 |issn=0959-8138 |pmid=30065021|s2cid=51891763 |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pavia |first=Will |date=18 July 2018 |title=Model Elle Macpherson is dating shamed anti-MMR doctor Andrew Wakefield |language=en |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/the-body-and-the-phoney-elle-macpherson-dating-andrew-wakefield-h0d6fvdlz |access-date=3 March 2022 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Boseley |first=Sarah |date=18 July 2018 |title=How disgraced anti-vaxxer Andrew Wakefield was embraced by Trump's America |url=http://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jul/18/how-disgraced-anti-vaxxer-andrew-wakefield-was-embraced-by-trumps-america |access-date=3 March 2022 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Duff |first=Seamus |date=9 December 2021 |title=Elle Macpherson confirms split from ex-doctor anti-vaxxer Andrew Wakefield |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/elle-macpherson-confirms-split-ex-25656038 |access-date=3 March 2022 |website=[[Daily Mirror]] |language=en}}</ref>

===Philanthropy===
Macpherson is a European Ambassador for [[Product Red]], an initiative set up by [[Bono]] and [[Bobby Shriver]] to raise money and awareness for the [[Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/privatesector/red/?lang=en |title=Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria website |publisher=The Global Fund |access-date=23 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902172327/http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/privatesector/red/?lang=en |archive-date= 2 September 2010  }}</ref> and to help eradicate AIDS for women and children in Africa. She is also an ambassador for [[UNICEF]].<ref>''GQ Australia'', Winter 2006, pp. 90–99: "I am working on projects like my ex's education program [ARK, a charity that funds schools for needy children world-wide], with Bono and the American Express RED project—which is all about poverty and AIDS support—and UNICEF's breast-feeding program."</ref>

In Australia, she is an ambassador for the Smile Foundation, which helps the families of children with rare diseases and organises government research grants.<ref name="Davidson2008"/><ref name="above"/> She has also modelled for charitable causes including fundraising for [[2007 United Kingdom floods|2007 British flood]] victims,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/fashion/models-of-charity/2007/09/12/1189276800100.html|title=Models of charity|date=12 September 2007|work=Brisbane Times|access-date=20 January 2011}}</ref> and child welfare group [[Absolute Return for Kids]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/05/22/1053196680075.html|title=Elle's body shop|date=22 May 2003|work=Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=20 January 2011}}</ref>

In 2012, Macpherson led [[Sky UK|Sky]]'s campaign for [[International Women's Day]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sky.com/mysky/latestnews/article/my-sky-updates/2012-03/sky-celebrates-international-womens-day/index.html|title=Sky celebrates International Women's Day|publisher=Sky|access-date=21 June 2012}}</ref> 

Macpherson is a patron for the [[National Association for Children of Alcoholics (United Kingdom)|National Association for the Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa UK)]].<ref>{{cite web |title=About the National Association for Children of Alcoholics |url=http://www.nacoa.org.uk/about.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910023937/http://www.nacoa.org.uk/about.htm |archive-date=10 September 2012 |access-date=7 June 2012 |publisher=Nacoa.org.uk}}</ref>

==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1990
| ''[[Alice (1990 film)|Alice]]''
| Model
|
|-
| 1994
| ''[[Sirens (1994 film)|Sirens]]''
| Sheela
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1996
| ''[[If Lucy Fell]]''
| Jane Lindquist
|
|-
| ''[[Jane Eyre (1996 film)|Jane Eyre]]''
| Blanche Ingram
|
|-
| ''[[The Mirror Has Two Faces]]''
| Candice
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1997
| ''[[Batman & Robin (film)|Batman & Robin]]''
| [[Julie Madison]]
|
|-
| ''[[The Edge (1997 film)|The Edge]]''
| Mickey Morse
|
|-
| 1998
| ''[[With Friends Like These...]]''
| Samantha Mastandrea
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2001
| ''[[A Girl Thing]]''
| Lauren Travis
| TV film
|-
| ''[[South Kensington (film)|South Kensington]]''
| Camilla
|
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1996
| ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''
| Herself
| "Elle Macpherson/Sting" (season 21: episode 14)<br/>"John Goodman/Everclear" (season 21: episode 15)
|-
| 1999–2000
| ''[[Friends]]''
| Janine LaCroix
| "The One Where Phoebe Runs" (season 6: episode 7)<br/>"The One with Ross' Teeth" (season 6: episode 8)<br/>"The One Where Ross Got High" (season 6: episode 9)<br/>"The One with the Routine" (season 6: episode 10)<br/>"[[The One with the Apothecary Table]]" (season 6: episode 11)
|-
| 2008
| ''[[America's Next Top Model]]''
| Herself
| "Top Model Makeovers" (cycle 10: episode 3)
|-
| 2009
| ''[[The Beautiful Life: TBL]]''
| Claudia Foster
| Main role; series cancelled after 2 episodes
|-
| 2010–2013
| ''[[Britain's Next Top Model]]''
| Herself
| Host; reality TV series
|-
| 2012–2013
| ''[[Fashion Star]]''
| Herself
| Host; reality TV series
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Australia's Next Top Model]]''
| Herself
| Guest Mentor
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography}}
* [[Fashion Cafe]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Commonscatinline}}
* {{Instagram|ellemacphersonofficial}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060205073434/http://www.askmen.com/women/models/7_elle_macpherson.html Elle Macpherson] on [[AskMen]]
* {{IMDb name|512}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120425112231/http://empdex.com/index.php?s=elle+macpherson Elle Macpherson Celebrity Style Profile] (14 April 2012)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120103110054/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/swimsuit/collection/models/elle_macpherson.html ''Sports Illustrated'' Swimsuit Collection of Elle Macpherson]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060624065736/http://www.ginnydougary.co.uk/2005/11/23/the-essence-of-elle-la-belle/ Elle Macpherson interviewed by Ginny Dougary] (2005)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071024111354/http://harpersbazaar.com.au/Fame/2007-10-1_Fame_Celebrity+secrets_Elle+Macpherson.htm Elle Macpherson interview] by ''[[Harper's Bazaar#Harper's Bazaar Australia|Harper's Bazaar Australia]]'' (October 2007)

{{2011–12 News Corporation scandal}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Macpherson, Elle}}
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian businesswomen]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian businesswomen]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian businesspeople]]
[[Category:Actresses from Sydney]]
[[Category:Australian businesspeople in fashion]]
[[Category:Australian chief executives]]
[[Category:Australian expatriate actresses in the United States]]
[[Category:Australian female models]]
[[Category:Australian film actresses]]
[[Category:Australian women philanthropists]]
[[Category:Australian philanthropists]]
[[Category:Australian television actresses]]
[[Category:Australian television presenters]]
[[Category:Australian people of Scottish descent]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Sydney]]
[[Category:Australian advertising executives]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Models from Sydney]]
[[Category:Participants in Australian reality television series]]
[[Category:Australian women television presenters]]
[[Category:Soffer family]]
[[Category:Australian women company founders]]