Elle Macpherson secretly battled alcoholism after becoming a mother as she struggled to maintain her “perfect” life.

The 60-year-old Australian supermodel has opened up about her tough times in her new book Elle: Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourself.

She reveals she found herself in a “horrible downward spiral” after welcoming sons Flynn and Cy with her ex-partner Arpad Busson, confessing she would suffer blackouts but was determined to keep up appearances.

In her book, Macpherson explains her drinking started when Flynn was a baby as he was often ill.

“In the evenings, after I put him to bed, I’d find myself relaxing with a vodka,” she wrote.

The catwalk star reveals her battle with booze caused her to miss her cue during her appearance in the closing ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney because she became disoriented after downing champagne and vodka to calm her nerves.

Her husband considered sending her to rehab, but he was worried about her being away from him.

Macpherson reveals things got worse after the couple welcomed their second son Cy.

“I loved spending time with Arki (Arpad) and … I wanted to prove to him I would be his partner in fun and business while being the mother of his sons.

“I would go out and drink, party and become sick again. It became a constant repeat: I was in a horrible downward spiral …

“I found myself having blackouts … I would be talking to somebody and then I would forget what I was saying.

“They would look at my quizzically as if waiting for me to continue.”

Macpherson says she was determined to keep her problems secret because she wanted to project the image of a happy home life.

“People would tell me I was so organised. I was really proud of that. I guess I had to be organised because I was drinking and I never wanted anyone to know. So I made sure the house was clean and tidy; I made sure I looked great and I made sure the children were perfect.”

Macpherson eventually went to rehab and was able to break free of her booze addiction.

However, her marriage to Busson did not last and they split in 2005.

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