The world of high fashion and drama is certainly intriguing, where relationships intertwine as seamlessly as threads in a couture gown. Gilles Bensimon, a revered name in fashion photography, has gained attention for his exceptional work. Being admired by many since the age of 19, it’s no surprise that he is now known for his notable relationships with two iconic women: Elle Macpherson and Kelly Killoren Bensimon.
First things first, let’s clear up a common misconception: Elle Macpherson wasn’t Gilles’s first wife. Nope, there was Pacha, his first love and the mother of his child before.
Let’s dive into the romantic life of this French photographer.
His First Love, Pacha Bensimon
Gilles’s love story began when he was just 19, trying to dodge the military draft during the Algerian War. Can you imagine? Young and restless, he eventually was conscripted despite his efforts to evade it, leading to a challenging time in the army marked by discipline issues and confinement—60 days in jail.
After his stint in the military, Gilles was, for lack of a better word, a bit of a mess—both physically and emotionally.
Pacha, a compassionate and nurturing soul, stepped into his life during this period.
She provided him with a place to stay and took care of him, nurturing him back to health. This act of kindness and support laid the foundation for their relationship, leading to marriage within a year. Their union was blessed with a daughter named Alice.
Working in the beauty department at Elle magazine, she influenced Gilles’s entry into fashion photography. Pacha’s support didn’t stop there; she invested in his talent by buying him a Hasselblad camera, enabling him to take his first professional steps.
This support led to Gilles getting work at Elle, though not without its challenges, as he navigated through the competitive environment and editorial disagreements that shaped his early career.
Their career and relationship diverged as Pacha’s career skyrocketed within the fashion department at Elle, and Gilles traveled to America, broadening his horizons and making significant strides in his photography career. His journey included encounters with iconic figures and an eventual return to Paris, where he solidified his advertising and fashion photography reputation.
A Youthful Union with Elle Macpherson
Gilles’s next love story begins in the glamorous ’80s when he crosses paths with Elle Macpherson, a supermodel whose name would soon be synonymous with beauty and grace. The duo met at a photo session for Elle magazine in 1984, and the sparks flew fast and furiously, leading to their marriage in 1986. However, as with many tales of whirlwind romances, theirs ended in a divorce three years later without offsprings.
Elle recently reminisced about their relationship on the “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” After Show, revealing a surprising twist of maturity and friendship that has endured decades past their separation. It’s somewhat refreshing to hear that a couple, once embroiled in love and then the pains of separation, can look back on their time together with fondness and respect.
Then Came Kelly Killoren Bensimon
Fast-forward to 1997, and Gilles finds love again, this time with Kelly Killoren Bensimon, a figure who would become well-known on “The Real Housewives of New York City.” Their marriage brought two daughters into the world, Sea Louise (born in 1998) and Thadeus Ann (born in 2000). However, like Gilles’ previous high-profile relationships, this one, too, ended in divorce in 2007 right before her time on RHONY began.
Kelly’s faced struggles and achievements, from facing single parenthood and battling misconceptions about her financial dependence to carving a niche for herself in real estate. The complexity of their relationship, especially post-divorce, has been a topic of public discussion, with Kelly asserting her financial independence despite public skepticism and claims to the contrary.
Comments from the public and fellow celebrities wove a complicated web around Gilles’ relationship with Kelly. For instance, a Reddit comment expressed disbelief at Kelly’s claims of financial struggle post-divorce, given the lavish lifestyle she and her daughters seemed to enjoy. This skepticism mirrors the disbelief of other RHONY cast members and the public, who find the narrative of Kelly’s solitary financial burden hard to swallow.
Post Divorce
Gilles remains single and has not remarried. Pacha Bensimon stayed away from the media since her relationship with him ended.
After their respective relationships with Bensimon, both Elle Macpherson and Kelly Killoren Bensimon moved forward in their personal lives with new partners.
Post-Gilles, Elle began a relationship with financier Arpad Busson in 1996, with whom she has two sons. The family resided together in London until their separation in July 2005.
Her love life took another notable turn when she started dating Jeffrey Soffer, a Miami, Florida-based hotel heir and billionaire, in early 2009. Though they briefly parted ways in March 2012, a tragic helicopter accident that left Soffer injured in November 2012 brought them back together.
Their reconciliation led to an engagement in March 2013 and a marriage celebrated at the Laucala Resort in Fiji in July 2013. However, the marriage concluded with a divorce announcement in 2017. Elle, who also resides in Florida, later entered into a relationship with British anti-vaccine activist Andrew Wakefield from 2017 to 2019.
Kelly Killoren Bensimon has not remarried since her divorce from Gilles Bensimon. However, she has been focused on her career in real estate and her role as a mother to her two daughters.
A decade after her divorce, Kelly decided to reclaim her maiden name, signifying a new chapter in her life by announcing she would be known once again as Kelly Killoren.
Her personal life experienced turbulence in 2009 when Kelly faced legal issues related to an altercation with a former boyfriend, leading to her arrest on charges of domestic violence and assault. The incident, which involved an argument that escalated to physicality, concluded with Kelly entering a plea agreement. This required her to complete two days of community service, as the State of New York mandated.