The Truth About Belle Gibson: Apple Cider Vinegar Saga and Her Current Whereabouts

This article reveals critical plot points from the miniseries Apple Cider Vinegar.

Overview of Apple Cider Vinegar

The Netflix miniseries Apple Cider Vinegar delves into the intriguing and somewhat controversial life of Australian con artist Belle Gibson from 2009 to 2015. This production, which has solidified Netflix’s standing in the realm of true crime, poses significant questions about the aftermath of Gibson’s exposure by the media. Starring Kaitlyn Dever, the show parallels other true crime narratives like Inventing Anna, both portraying young women entangled in deceptive schemes for personal gain.

What makes Apple Cider Vinegar stand out is its wry sense of humor and an unconventional tone, which have contributed to its favorable reception from audiences and critics alike. Interestingly, unlike typical true crime narratives, this series refrains from providing an epilogue detailing what transpired post-exposure of Gibson’s fabrications. Instead, viewers learn that since 2015, Gibson has faced legal challenges and changed her identity.

The series draws its inspiration from the true crime book The Woman Who Fooled The World authored by Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano.

Belle Gibson’s Admission of Deception

In 2015, following scrutiny from investigative journalists Donelly and Toscano, Belle Gibson confronted her deceit head-on in an exclusive interview with The Australian Women’s Weekly. During this candid discussion, she confessed, “No, none of it’s true, ” when asked about her supposed cancer. However, her statements appeared contradictory, cleverly shifting responsibility away from herself.

The interview revealed Gibson’s unreliability as a narrator. She claimed cancer diagnoses in 2009 and 2014, articulating these beliefs as intrinsic to her identity. Yet, she offered no solid or verifiable evidence of her alleged illnesses. Friend Clair Weaver even disclosed that they reached out to warn others about Gibson’s deceptions. This interview reinforced the notion that Gibson’s credibility is highly questionable.

Legal Consequences for Belle Gibson

In the final scenes of Apple Cider Vinegar, the protagonist mischievously directs viewers to conduct their own research regarding her fate, foregoing the traditional follow-up narrative typical of true crime shows. Ultimately, in 2017, the Australian government pursued legal action against Gibson for her infringement of consumer laws.

Gibson faced charges in the Australian Federal Court for neglecting her promise to contribute proceeds from her book and app, The Whole Pantry, to charity. Notably, there were no recorded donations to the stated causes. The Herald Sun reported the fines imposed by the court (in AUD) as follows:

$90, 000 for two claims of donations made to charities from her company and app
$150, 000 for deceiving the family of Joshua Schwarz, a young cancer patient
$30, 000 related to a Mother’s Day promotion with promised donations
$50, 000 for false charity donation claims linked to the launch of The Whole Pantry

In total, Gibson faced approximately $410, 000 AUD (around $256, 500 USD) in fines—significantly less than the potential $1.1 million AUD she could have incurred. Notably, the court prohibited her from claiming she had brain cancer before May 24, 2016, and rejected assertions of curing herself through alternative methods. Interestingly, the court allowed her to forego a public apology.

While Gibson reportedly claimed financial inability to pay her fines, Australian Broadcasting Corporation discovered she spent $91, 000 between 2017 and 2019 on luxury items and travel. In 2021, the Victorian Sheriff’s office executed a raid on her residence to recover unpaid fines, which accrued to over $500, 000 AUD due to penalties and interest, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. As of the release of Apple Cider Vinegar, she had yet to fulfill her financial obligations, as noted by the Herald Sun.

Belle Gibson’s Life Post-Scandal

Since her scandal broke in 2015, Belle Gibson has largely retreated from the public eye. In a report from 2020, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation indicated that she assimilated into the Oromo community in Melbourne under the name Sabontu. Although she was involved with the group since 2016, they remained unaware of her prior identity until January 2020. However, this changed in 2021 when community leaders expelled her upon learning her background, claiming she had exploited their goodwill.

Gibson’s activities post-expulsion remain largely unclear. In February 2024, she was spotted in a gas station in Northern Australia by a reporter from A Current Affair. When pressed about her outstanding fines, she stated she could not pay them and avoided questions regarding her responsibility to her victims. Given her continuous effort to evade the spotlight, it appears unlikely that she will comment on her portrayal in Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar.

Source & Images