A fashion icon, a role in Friends, and countless magazine covers later, Elle Macpherson has cemented herself in the hall of fame alongside Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer. Take a look at some of her most iconic moments below.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

Elle Macpherson, born 1964 in Killara, NSW, has become one of the most famous Australians in pop culture. She moved New York as a student to earn money modelling, with the aim of raising funds for her law degree at The University of Sydney. In 1982, she appeared in a commercial for Tab, establishing her as a “girl next door” figure.

After nearly 40 years in the industry, the supermodel has graced the runways of some of the biggest names in the fashion industry: Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Dior, Mugler, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein... the list goes on. Take a look at how she got there.

THE COVERS

After appearing on the cover of Time Magazine in 1989, the publication gave her the nickname Elle “The Body” Macpherson. From then on, she has graced the covers of Sports Illustrated, Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, GQ and Tatler, to name just a few. See some of her most iconic looks below.

THE BODY

By the ‘90s, Elle had secured her place on the scene and was hired for her “girl next door” looks. She spent the next decade on the hottest runways, rubbed shoulders with some of Hollywood’s biggest celebs, and launched her own international business.

It was during this time that she was named a part of the “Magnificent Seven” by a New York Times article, alongside Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Helena Christensen and Claudia Schiffer. Elle had officially arrived.

FROM RUNWAY TO SCREEN

Macpherson made her film debut in the 1994 film Sirens, in which she played an artist’s model. Starring alongside Hugh Grant and Sam Neill, it was her first taste of the silver screen. From there, she would go on to star in Batman and Robin, Friends and in a lead role opposite Anthony Hopkins.

THE MEN

As one would expect when you are one of the world’s top supermodels, Elle has never struggled to get a date. Her list of suitors ranges from bankers and billionaires, to actors, photographers and musicians. Billy Joel, Sean Penn, Kevin Costner, Paul McCartney, Bryan Adams, Guy Ritchie... the list goes on. Married thrice and now happily dating, Elle has had a whole lot of fun.

THE KIDS

In 1998, Elle became a mum for the first time, giving birth to Arpad Flynn Busson. Five years later, Aurelius Cy Andrea Busson was born, both to her then-partner Arpad Busson. Known as Flynn and Cy, the boys have become Elle’s staying purpose. She says that having children is her greatest achievement, claiming that the boys were “her saviour” and “switched [her] focus from the outside to the inside”.

LOVING LATER LIFE

Elle remains an international supermodel and will always be part of the Magnificent Seven. Despite taking a break from the runway for a number of years, Macpherson returned to Melbourne Fashion Week this year in effortless style. As she celebrates her 60th birthday, it’s clear she’s not done yet.