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When Netflix released Apple Cider Vinegar, audiences were gripped by the rise and fall of Belle Gibson — a wellness influencer who captivated the world with her “cancer survival” story, only for it to unravel into one of Australia’s most notorious fraud cases. While the series captures the drama of her public downfall, it leaves many real-life details untold — from legal battles and unpaid fines to the lives she impacted along the way. Here’s what really happened to Belle Gibson, based on documented evidence and court records.
Key Takeaways
Belle Gibson, once a celebrated wellness influencer, was exposed for faking cancer and misleading the public. Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar dramatizes her story, but the real-life fallout included court battles, $500k in fines, and broken promises to families she pledged to help.
Table of Contents
What happened to Belle Gibson in the end? Here’s what Apple Cider Vinegar leaves out
In Apple Cider Vinegar, Belle Gibson’s story ends with her reputation in ruins after admitting she never had cancer.
In reality, the legal aftermath stretched on for years. After admitting in 2015 that her cancer claims were false, Belle faced investigations, civil court action, and more than $500,000 in unpaid fines. Her case became a landmark example of misleading and deceptive conduct in the wellness industry.
Who is Belle Gibson?
Belle Gibson rose to fame in 2013 with her wellness app The Whole Pantry, a mix of recipes and positive lifestyle advice. Marketed as a cancer survivor sharing her healing journey, she claimed to donate 25% of profits to charity — amounting to $300,000. In truth, court records showed she donated less than $10,000 from approximately $420,000 in revenue.
Her app’s success led to a cookbook deal with Penguin and a partnership with Apple to pre-install the app on the Apple Watch. But investigative journalism soon exposed inconsistencies in her story, including the fact she had never been diagnosed with cancer.
Is Apple Cider Vinegar a true story?
Only partially, The Netflix series is inspired by the 2017 book The Woman Who Fooled the World by journalists Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano, who broke the original story. While key events — her rise on social media, publishing deals, and the infamous 60 Minutes interview — are based on fact, much of the drama is fictionalized.
Characters like “Milla” and “Lucy” are composites or entirely invented, while certain timelines and relationships were adjusted for dramatic effect. Netflix itself emphasizes that the show is not a biopic but a “work of fiction inspired by real events.”
So, what happened to Belle Gibson?
In 2016, Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) launched a civil case alleging breaches of Australian consumer law.
By 2017, the Federal Court found Belle had engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct, ordering her to pay $410,000 in penalties. Penguin also admitted it failed to verify her cancer claims before publishing her book and donated $30,000 to a consumer law fund.
Despite the rulings, Belle repeatedly failed to attend court dates and did not pay her fines. Financial investigations revealed she spent over $91,000 between 2017 and 2019 on international travel, clothing, and personal luxuries.
Did Belle Gibson go to jail?
No, Belle was never charged with criminal fraud. The case was handled under civil consumer law, meaning the penalties were fines rather than prison time. Her debts remain largely unpaid, despite multiple enforcement attempts, including sheriff raids on her Melbourne home in 2020 and 2021.
What happened to the family Gibson claimed to raise money for?
One of the most heartbreaking parts of the case involves the Schwarz family. Belle befriended Penne Schwarz and her young son Joshua, who had terminal brain cancer. She promised proceeds from app sales and event tickets would go to them. Court records showed no such donation was made.
The judge called this the “most serious” violation, ordering her to pay $150,000 to the Schwarz family. Joshua died in 2017.
What happened after the court case?
By 2020, Belle’s debt had grown to more than $500,000 with interest. Authorities executed search-and-sale warrants to seize her possessions, though it’s unclear how much, if anything, was recovered.
In a surprising twist, Belle reappeared at public events under a different name, including gatherings with Melbourne’s Oromo community. She has kept a low profile in recent years, with no confirmed reports of repayment or renewed business ventures.
Conclusion
Belle Gibson’s story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked claims in the wellness industry — and how social media fame can turn into legal and financial ruin. While Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar dramatizes her fall, the real-life consequences were longer, messier, and far more damaging than the series could fully capture.
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FAQs
Did Belle Gibson really go to Milla’s funeral?
No. Milla is a fictional character created for Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar, so no such funeral took place in real life.
Did Belle Gibson have a baby with Clive?
No credible evidence suggests Belle Gibson had a child with someone named Clive. This is fictionalized content from the series.
What happened to Hunter in Apple Cider Vinegar?
Hunter is a fictional character in the show, not a real person connected to Belle Gibson’s actual story.
Are Belle Gibson and Clive still together?
No. Clive is a fictional character, and there is no real-world equivalent tied to Belle Gibson’s life.
Did Clive know Belle was lying?
In the series, Clive’s awareness of Belle’s lies is part of the fictional storyline. There’s no evidence of such a person in real life.
Did Lucy survive Apple Cider Vinegar?
Lucy is a fictional cancer patient character in the show. Her story arc does not reflect a real person connected to Belle Gibson.
Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar
Sofie NienhausEquipment
- Fermenting vessel
- Breathable cover
- Strainer
- Bottles with lids
Ingredients
Apple Base
- Diced apple chunks or apple scraps enough to fill half of your fermenting vessel
Sweetener
- 1 tbsp sugar per 1 cup filtered water
- 1 cup sugar per 1 gallon filtered water
Liquid Base
- Filtered water
Optional Additions
- Finished organic apple cider vinegar for inoculating the culture
Instructions
- Wash and chop the apples into chunks or gather frozen apple scraps, filling your fermenting vessel halfway.
- Pour lukewarm filtered water over apples until almost full, noting total amount of water.
- Stir in sugar based on 1 tbsp per cup water, or 1 cup per gallon for larger batches.
- Optional: Add a splash of finished organic apple cider vinegar to inoculate.
- Stir thoroughly and cover with breathable material.
- Store in a dark location at 70–75°F for 2 weeks, stirring daily to prevent mold.
- After 2 weeks, strain liquid into a similar-sized container; compost fruit.
- Move liquid container to a dark location for long-term fermentation.
- After 1 month, taste vinegar; ferment up to 3 months for desired tartness.
- Once ready, transfer to bottles with lids; store at room temp or refrigerate.
- Properly fermented apple cider vinegar keeps over a year if free of mold and off flavors.