Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson is set to marry after her boyfriend of six years, French-Swiss banker Arpad “Arki” Busson, finally popped the question. The supermodel-turned-actress and her whacking great diamond engagement ring made their premiere appearance together at the star-studded Mario Testino exhibition at London's National Portrait Gallery on Wednesday night.
Elle’s manager, Stewart Cameron, confirmed yesterday that the couple got engaged on January 9, while on holiday in the Bahamas. As yet no wedding date has been set. “I spoke to Elle last night,” he said, “and she’s very happy.”
“Elle and Arki have just returned to London but they’re soon heading off to Europe for a skiing holiday before she concentrates on her new lingerie line.”
Stewart could not elaborate on how many carats were in the “hot rock” diamond or its cost. However, he did quash persistent rumours that the supermodel-actress was pregnant. Australia’s best known model and Arki already have one son together, Flynn, who turns four on Valentine’s Day. Elle told the Australian press last year that she was dying to have more children.
Born Eleanor Gow and famously known in the fashion world as “The Body”, Elle has been married once before, to photographer Gilles Bensimon, who was 20 years her senior. The couple split up after three years and Giles is now creative director at US Elle.
Before getting together with Arki, she was linked to a host of possible beaux including Madonna’s ex, Sean Penn, and the Green Shield Stamp tycoon Tim Jeffries. Despite his long-term involvement with the supermodel, very little is known about Arki except that he is a fiercely private man with no interest in sharing the celebrity spotlight constantly hovering over his famous fiancée. Speaking to an Australian paper last year, Elle said she was the consummate corporate wife, entertaining Arki’s banking friends and making sure she was at home to cook. However, she has avoided the subject of marriage until now.
One of Australia’s best-known exports, Elle, who once enrolled to study law in Sydney, has built a successful business out of her fame. She has launched her own lingerie line, fitness videos and a range of other merchandise. She has also successfully managed to make the transition from the catwalk to acting, appearing opposite Hugh Grant in the 1994 film Sirens, with George Clooney in 1997’s Batman and Robin and also making an appearance in the US sitcom Friends.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
