Australian model Ellie Gonsalves: ‘I want my dad to be proud, I think he is watching over me’

Ellie Gonsalves is a social media star, actor, model and advocate. She lost her father to suicide and believes sharing her story will help others.

Actor and model Ellie Gonsalves. Picture: Richard Dobson

It has been nine years since model and actor Ellie Gonsalves lost her father to suicide.

The 34-year-old though believes her dad, Rick, is guiding her through life from above.

“I actually do feel like my dad is watching over me,” Gonsalves told The Daily Telegraph.

“When he passed away that is when my career really started to fire up and become something I was just so proud of.

“When I booked my first Guess campaign, I felt like my dad was watching and pushing me to make sure I am doing all of these things. I think he would be really very proud, we were very close.”

It was in April 2015 when Gonsalves was living in Los Angeles that she got the call about her father’s untimely passing at the age of just 50.

Ellie Gonsalves with her late father, Rick.

Ellie Gonsalves with her late father, Rick.

Focusing on her health – social, physical and mental – got her through the toughest of times. And now, they are the pillars she lives by personally and professionally.

“When I think of my dad now, I just want to do him proud,” the ambassador of wellness supplements brand Kailo Nutrition said.

Actor and model Ellie Gonsalves. Picture: Richard Dobson

“I want to share my story to be able to help others, whether that is around mental health and my struggles in life.

“My life I think has been quite unconventional with how I have done things with my career, my relationships, even my sexuality, I think it is important for me to share all of those challenging things because it helps me and it helps other people as well to feel like they belong and there are other people going through exactly the same thing.”

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