Elle's original plan was to study pre-law at Sydney University, but when the 18-year-old, six-foot beauty was discovered in Aspen, Colorado, she was immediately signed to her modeling agency.

She soon became an Elle magazine staple, posing for the magazine for six years.

While her talent as a model was undeniable, her marriage to the fashion magazine's creative director, Gilles Bensimon, further secured her relationship with the magazine.

By 1986, at the age of 23, Elle was a full-fledged supermodel. She was so popular in Australia that Time magazine named an issue "The Big Elle," and the Australian government simultaneously offered her a position on the tourist commission as an unofficial ambassador

She first appeared on the silver screen in a walk-on role in the 1990 Woody Allen film Alice (the spectacled director personally picked her for the part).

She showed off her body on the cover of the coveted Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition along with fellow models Kathy Ireland and Rachel Hunter. She went on to appear on the cover a record four times.

In 1994, Elle -- aka The Body -- was required to gain 20 pounds for her meatier role in Sirens, costarring Hugh Grant. In 1996, she appeared in a remake of Jane Eyre

Wanting to branch out into other industries, Elle used her business skills to become chair of a line of lingerie called Elle Macpherson Intimates. Based in Australia, the company has grown into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.

Signed with Miramax, the leggy model/actress was the object of Batman's affection in 1997's Batman & Robin, and costarred with Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin in The Edge.

In 1999, Elle appeared on the small screen in five episodes of Friends, playing the role of Joey's new roommate. And in 2001, Elle played in the romantic comedy South Kensington alongside Rupert Everett.

Known as The Body in the modeling industry, Elle didn't get her nickname by accident. Her six-foot frame curves in all the right places and her long, lean legs are the stuff dreams are made of.