Belle Gibson, a wellness influencer, built a massive online following by claiming she cured her terminal brain cancer through natural remedies. But how much of the show “Apple Cider Vinegar” on Netflix is true? The series is inspired by journalist Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano’s book “The Woman Who Fooled the World,” which exposed Gibson’s scam.
Gibson’s lies began to unravel after inconsistencies in her story were pointed out. She claimed she was diagnosed with a stage two malignant tumor, but brain tumors are classified differently. Additionally, records listed her birthday as 1991, making her 17 at the time of diagnosis, not 20.
The Australian authorities sued Gibson for misleading and deceptive conduct, and she was ordered to pay $410,000 in penalties. However, she has yet to pay the fine, which has grown to over half a million Australian dollars with interest and additional fees.
In an interview with Australia’s Women’s Weekly, Gibson eventually told the truth, saying “none of it’s true” about her cancer diagnosis. She refused to apologize or ask for forgiveness from those she misled, stating that speaking out was the responsible thing to do.
The Netflix series “Apple Cider Vinegar” exposes Gibson’s actions and their consequences. The series is a cautionary tale about the dangers of misinformation and the importance of fact-checking in the digital age.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicamercuri/2025/02/06/the-insane-true-story-behind-netflixs-apple-cider-vinegar-and-belle-gibsons-scam