Elle Macpherson Husband: The Truth About Her Marriages and Love Life

Fans who have followed the Australian supermodel for decades often search for information about Elle Macpherson’s husband, especially because her romantic life has included high-profile marriages, long-term relationships, and an ongoing public fascination with her personal world. Known globally as “The Body,” Elle Macpherson rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s as one of the most recognizable faces in fashion. She has since built a successful career as an entrepreneur, actress, and wellness icon. As her professional life evolved, so did her relationships, which have spanned prominent figures in photography, business, and international celebrity circles. This article explores her marital history, her most significant relationships, and her current love life, offering clarity on a topic that remains a frequent subject of online curiosity.

Who Is Elle Macpherson? A Quick Background

Elle Macpherson was born in Sydney in 1964 and began modeling in her late teens. Her tall frame, radiant energy, and athletic appearance quickly captured the attention of major fashion brands. By the mid-1980s, she had become a global modeling sensation, appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition five times—a record at the time—and earning the nickname “The Body,” a term that has followed her throughout her career.

Her influence extended well beyond modeling. Macpherson made a smooth transition into acting, appearing in films like Sirens alongside Hugh Grant and in popular TV shows such as Friends. Over the years, she grew into a shrewd businesswoman, launching lingerie lines, skincare products, and the successful wellness brand WelleCo. Her entrepreneurial ventures helped redefine her public image from supermodel to global wellness figure.

With such a long and public career, her relationships naturally became a point of interest. Yet despite her openness in some areas, Macpherson has always kept parts of her private life guarded—leaving fans to wonder about her marital status at different points in time.

Has Elle Macpherson Ever Had a Husband? Her Marriages Explained

Elle Macpherson has been married twice, but she is not currently married. Both of her marriages were widely discussed in the media, though both ended before her most recent relationships began. Adding to the confusion, she also had a notable long-term relationship with a partner many mistakenly assume was her husband.

To clarify:

1. Her first husband was French photographer Gilles Bensimon.

2. Her second husband was billionaire property developer Jeffrey Soffer.

3. Her longtime partner Arpad Busson was often thought to be her husband due to the length and seriousness of their relationship, but they never married.

Understanding these three key relationships helps explain why so many fans remain uncertain about her marital status.

Marriage #1 — Gilles Bensimon

Elle Macpherson married renowned French fashion photographer Gilles Bensimon in 1986. Bensimon was the creative director of Elle magazine, and their romance began within the glamorous world of fashion. Together, they formed one of the industry’s most admired power couples, merging photography, beauty, and editorial artistry.

Their marriage took place during Macpherson’s meteoric rise as a supermodel. Bensimon, already an established photographer, helped document some of her most iconic imagery. The couple appeared to share a deep creative connection, but their personal relationship eventually grew strained under the pressures of fame and demanding careers. They divorced in 1989, yet the respect between them remained evident in later years. Bensimon continued to speak positively about her professionalism and beauty long after their split.

Long-Term Relationship With Arpad Busson

One of the most significant chapters in Elle Macpherson’s love life was her decade-long relationship with financier Arpad “Arki” Busson. Though they never married, they were together from the mid-1990s through the mid-2000s and became parents to two sons: Flynn, born in 1998, and Aurelius, born in 2003.

Because the relationship was long, committed, and included children, many fans assumed she and Busson were married. Their high-profile lifestyle—splitting time between London, the Bahamas, and New York—fueled this impression. At one point, they were even engaged, but the relationship ultimately ended without a wedding.

Despite their separation, Macpherson and Busson have co-parented their children with mutual respect. Their breakup was widely covered in the media, but Macpherson consistently kept the focus on her sons’ well-being rather than public drama.

Marriage #2 — Jeffrey Soffer

Elle Macpherson married her second husband, billionaire real estate developer Jeffrey Soffer, in July 2013. Their wedding took place in Fiji, surrounded by close family and friends. Soffer, part of the prominent Turnberry Associates firm, was known for his luxury developments in Miami, including the Fontainebleau Hotel.

The marriage initially appeared to blend Macpherson’s glamorous lifestyle with Soffer’s business-oriented world. They split their time between Miami and other international residences. However, after four years of marriage, the couple divorced in 2017. While details surrounding their divorce were kept private, it was reported that differences in lifestyle and priorities contributed to their decision to part ways.

Macpherson handled the separation with the grace and privacy she has always favored, focusing her attention on her children and her rapidly expanding wellness company.

Elle Macpherson’s Current Relationship

As of the most recent updates, Elle Macpherson is not married, but she has been romantically linked to Italian businessman and jet-set entrepreneur Nicolo “Nico” Barattieri di San Pietro. Barattieri di San Pietro, known for his real estate ventures and high-profile social circle, has reportedly been dating Macpherson since around 2022.

Their relationship appears affectionate, stylish, and relatively private. Macpherson, now in her late 50s, seems to embrace a more grounded, wellness-centered lifestyle than in her younger years. Her relationship with Barattieri di San Pietro reflects this shift: more mature, discreet, and not dependent on public validation.

While marriage does not appear to be an immediate focus, Macpherson continues to prioritize emotional health, spirituality, and personal growth. Her view of love has evolved, and she seems content embracing relationships without the need for legal labels.