The story of Belle Gibson, the Australian wellness influencer who built a multi-million-dollar empire on the fraudulent claim that she had cured her terminal brain cancer through diet, has seen a major resurgence in public interest in late 2024 and early 2025. This renewed focus is largely driven by the release of the Netflix limited series, *Apple Cider Vinegar*, which chronicles her spectacular rise and fall. The scandal not only ruined Gibson's career but also heavily impacted those closest to her, particularly her long-time partner, Clive Rothwell.
As of December 2025, the legal and personal fallout from the "Whole Pantry" fraud continues, with authorities still pursuing Gibson for her unpaid fines. The most pressing questions now revolve around the current status of her former relationship with Clive Rothwell and where both individuals are living now that the true-crime documentary has brought their story back into the global spotlight.
The Dual Biography: Belle Gibson and Clive Rothwell's Profiles
The relationship between Annabelle "Belle" Gibson and Clive Rothwell is central to the narrative of The Whole Pantry scandal, as Rothwell played a key, albeit often overlooked, role in the technical foundation of her fraudulent empire.
Annabelle 'Belle' Natalie Gibson: A Profile
- Full Name: Annabelle Natalie Gibson.
- Date of Birth: 8 October 1991.
- Nationality: Australian.
- Known For: Health fraudster, former wellness influencer, and author of The Whole Pantry mobile app and cookbook.
- The Core Lie: Falsely claimed she had been diagnosed with, and subsequently cured, multiple terminal cancers (including brain cancer) through diet, alternative medicine, and a "clean" lifestyle.
- Legal Status: Found guilty of deceptive conduct by the Federal Court of Australia in 2017 and ordered to pay a fine of A$410,000 to Consumer Affairs Victoria.
- Current Status: As of 2025, Gibson has failed to pay the vast majority of the court-ordered fine, with authorities continuing to pursue payment.
Clive Rothwell: A Profile
- Known For: Former partner of Belle Gibson and father figure to her son.
- Origin: Hails from Adelaide, South Australia.
- Profession: An IT consultant, reportedly working for RMIT University in Melbourne at the time of the scandal’s peak.
- Role in the Scandal: Rothwell was instrumental in the technical setup of Gibson's business. He registered both The Whole Pantry app and the subsequent cookbook, *The Whole Life*, under Gibson's corporate name.
- Public Stance: Has maintained a predominantly private life and has worked to distance himself from the scandal since its unravelling.
- Relationship Status: Reportedly separated from Gibson in late 2023.
1. What Was Clive Rothwell's Exact Role in The Whole Pantry Fraud?
Clive Rothwell's involvement was primarily technical and foundational. While he was not accused of being complicit in the cancer lie itself, his background as an IT consultant was crucial to the launch of Gibson’s wellness empire.
The Whole Pantry began as an Instagram account and a blog, but its transformation into a commercial juggernaut—an app that was pre-installed on the Apple Watch—required significant technical expertise. Rothwell was the individual who registered the mobile application and the subsequent cookbook, *The Whole Life*, under Gibson's corporate entity.
This technical support gave Gibson the platform she needed to commercialize her false claims, allowing her to generate substantial revenue. The app alone earned approximately A$280,000 over a two-year period, with the Android app adding another A$28,000. Rothwell's low-profile, behind-the-scenes work was the essential engine that allowed the fraudulent claims to reach a global audience.
2. Are Belle Gibson and Clive Rothwell Still Together in 2025?
No, Belle Gibson and Clive Rothwell are no longer together. The relationship, which began around 2012, reportedly ended in late 2023, according to multiple news outlets.
The strain of the scandal and the intense public scrutiny took a heavy toll on their partnership. By the time of Gibson’s 2019 trial, she had already referred to Rothwell as a "friend" rather than a romantic partner, indicating the relationship had shifted. The final separation was reported in November 2023, and as of February 2025, they are confirmed to no longer be living together.
Rothwell, who helped raise Gibson’s son from a previous relationship, has consistently sought a private life away from the relentless media attention. The renewed spotlight brought by the Netflix series *Apple Cider Vinegar* likely solidified the decision for both individuals to move on separately.
3. What is the Latest Update on Belle Gibson's Unpaid Fine?
The most current and critical development in Belle Gibson's case is her continued failure to pay the A$410,000 fine imposed on her for making false and misleading claims about her cancer diagnosis and charitable donations.
As of December 2025, the Victorian Consumer Commission is still actively pursuing the payment. The fine was levied after Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) took legal action against her deceptive conduct. The court found that Gibson deliberately and knowingly misled consumers about her health and her promise to donate a significant portion of her company's profits to charity.
Authorities have stated they "won't let up" in their pursuit of the money, which is intended to be a deterrent against similar wellness industry fraud and to uphold Australian consumer protection laws. This ongoing legal battle keeps Gibson's name in the news cycle and prevents a clean break from her fraudulent past.
4. Where Are Belle Gibson and Clive Rothwell Living Now?
Both individuals have retreated from the public eye, though details of their whereabouts have emerged in the context of the Netflix series.
- Belle Gibson: While her exact location is kept highly private, reports indicate she remains in Melbourne, Australia. Since the scandal, she has largely disappeared from social media and traditional media. Her focus is reportedly on maintaining a low profile while the Victorian authorities continue their efforts to recoup the unpaid fine.
- Clive Rothwell: Rothwell has successfully maintained a private existence. In 2023, he was spotted moving into a new two-bedroom apartment, confirming his separation from Gibson and his desire for a fresh start. He is believed to be focused on his career and private life, having distanced himself from the toxic environment of the fraud. His story is often viewed as a tale of personal reinvention following association with a high-profile scandal.
5. Why Has the Scandal Resurfaced with the 'Apple Cider Vinegar' Series?
The release of the Netflix limited series *Apple Cider Vinegar* in 2024 has dramatically re-ignited global interest in the Belle Gibson case. The series, which is a fictionalized true-crime account, introduced the story to a new generation of viewers and an international audience unfamiliar with the original 2015 scandal.
The show's success has led to a massive spike in searches for the real individuals involved—Belle Gibson and Clive Rothwell—as people seek to understand the true story behind the drama. This phenomenon is a common consequence of true-crime documentaries, where the line between the dramatized version and the real-life fallout becomes blurred, forcing the real people back into the spotlight, even years after the event. This renewed scrutiny is the primary reason why there are fresh updates on their living situations and relationship status in 2025.
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