Meet The Real Belle Gibson, Whose Deceit Inspired Netflix's 'Apple Cider Vinegar'

The internet is a slow poison. While this technology provides an abundance of information, it is also a powerful tool for spreading misinformation. Remember the wave of false remedies that flooded the internet during the COVID-19 outbreak? Almost overnight, so-called "experts" began curating miraculous medicines and home remedies that claimed to cure COVID. One of the most bizarre examples was people consuming cow urine as an alleged defence against the virus.

Looking back, the memories of the lockdown evoke both nostalgia and amusement. The sheer influence of technology during the pandemic was undeniable—people blindly followed dubious remedies in desperate attempts to protect themselves.

As the saying goes, health is not valued until sickness comes. One of the deadliest diseases humanity faces is cancer. Despite ongoing research, many aspects of this complex illness remain a mystery. Millions are diagnosed with cancer every year. It occurs when the body’s cells lose their ability to regulate growth, leading to uncontrolled multiplication. These rapidly dividing cells can spread to other parts of the body, a process known as metastasis.

Medically, cancer is treated through chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery, depending on the type and stage of the disease. While advancements in medicine continue, misinformation surrounding cancer treatments remains widespread. One of them even inspires a Netflix Original!

Belle Gibson, a social media influencer claimed to be diagnosed with multiple cancers. She claimed that she managed her cancer through exercise, diet, and alternative therapies. Since Netflix plans to bring her story in their latest limited series Apple Cider Vinegar, here's a little glimpse of Belle's controversial life.

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Belle Gibson: The Rise and Fall of a Wellness Fraud

Annabelle Natalie Gibson was born on October 8, 1991, in Launceston, Australia. She left her family home at the age of 12, living first with a classmate and later with a family friend. By the age of 18, Gibson became a mother while working in the food and sports industries.

She later launched a social media blog, where she falsely claimed to have been diagnosed with brain cancer, as well as blood, spleen, uterine, liver, and kidney cancers. According to Gibson, these illnesses were caused by an adverse reaction to the Gardasil cervical cancer vaccine. She promoted alternative treatments, advocating for lifestyle changes and holistic healing methods to manage cancer.

Gibson gained widespread recognition after launching The Whole Pantry app, which reportedly amassed around 200,000 downloads in its first month. The app was even voted Apple's Best Food and Drink App of 2013. Following this success, she released a book under the same title in October 2014, published by Penguin Books. In the book’s preface, she claimed, "I have been stable for two years now with no growth of the cancer."

While her advocacy for exercise, healthy eating, and a positive mindset seemed harmless, Gibson also promoted controversial and potentially dangerous alternative medical practices. Among them were Gerson therapy, anti-vaccination beliefs, and the consumption of non-pasteurised raw milk—all of which raised serious concerns among medical professionals.

Gibson attended the funeral of Jessica Ainscough, another Australian wellness blogger and proponent of Gerson therapy, who passed away from epithelioid sarcoma on February 26, 2015.

Eventually, the truth about Gibson unravelled—her cancer diagnosis was entirely fabricated. While she shared recipes and fitness advice, her misleading claims about cancer treatment spread dangerous misinformation. Additionally, her assertions about donating a significant portion of her earnings to charity were later proven false. As legal scrutiny intensified, her content was removed from public platforms, and she faced legal consequences for her deception.

Gibson’s story is now dramatised in Netflix's limited series Apple Cider Vinegar (2025), with Kaitlyn Dever portraying her character.