Elle Macpherson: I did shots of vodka and threw up every night as 'a function of life'

Elle Macpherson has opened up about her struggles with alcohol, admitting she used to drink vodka every night after putting her children to bed.

The revelation comes from her new book, Elle: Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourself, which was released on September 3. Speaking on the Carrie and Tommy radio show, the model admitted that she would "pass out" after drinking once her sons, Flynn and Cy, were asleep.

"I didn't keep it hidden, it was just a function of my life," Macpherson, 60, explained.

She mentioned that her children's father, Arpad Busson, was living abroad at the time and only came home on weekends, leaving her to manage the household alone. "I was at home with the kids and that's what I did," she said.

Macpherson also revealed that she would force herself to vomit three times before going to bed in an attempt to rid her body of booze.

"I used to think if I throw up I wouldn't have the alcohol in my system. How bonkers is that?" she remarked, adding that her drinking and throwing up were attempts to "control the outside world so I would feel at peace inside."

Macpherson, who has now been sober for 20 years and credits Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for her recovery, said she was concerned about being recognised at her first meeting.

"Here I was thinking everybody was like, 'Oh my god, that's [Elle Macpherson]'...nobody gives a s**t.

"Everybody is on their own journey, they're trying to get well, they're trying to capture the pieces of their life that they've let go of.

"They're on their own journey. The last thing they're thinking about is me, and that's the healthiest place to be in."

Macpherson also shares in her book that she was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago, but declined chemotherapy, opting instead for a holistic approach to her treatment - going against the advice of 32 doctors.

“It was a shock, it was unexpected, it was confusing, it was daunting in so many ways and it really gave me an opportunity to dig deep in my inner sense to find a solution that worked for me,” she wrote in an exclusive excerpt published in the Australian Woman’s Weekly on Monday.

She turned to a team that included a doctor of naturopathy, a holistic dentist, an osteopath, a chiropractor, and two therapists.

After meditating on a Miami beach, the runway star decided to pursue an “intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach” under the guidance of her primary doctor, who specialises in integrative medicine—a practice that blends conventional medical care with mind and body therapies.

Macpherson admitted that saying no to traditional pharmaceutical treatment was “the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” but felt that ignoring her inner voice would have been even harder.

Despite others thinking she was “crazy,” she stood by a choice that truly resonated with her.

She ultimately placed herself under the care of a team of specialists, including her primary doctor, a naturopath, a holistic dentist, an osteopath, a chiropractor, and two therapists.

She now says she is in clinical remission, describing her current state as "utter wellness".

If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information. You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit theirsite for more information.