Wellness Advocate, Bestselling Author: I Faked Cancer

A woman who became a bestselling author and wellness advocate after she claimed she healed herself of a brain tumor through a healthy diet recently admitted she never had cancer, according to a magazine investigation published this week.

Belle Gibson, a 23-year-old Australian woman, became an entrepreneur though her business, The Whole Pantry, which includes publication of a cookbook and a wellness app. She first came to prominence in 2013 when she said she had healed herself of a terminal brain tumor through healthy foods.

But, in the May issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly, she admitted she never had cancer at all, in several tearful interviews.

“No, none of it’s true,” Gibson told the interviewers of the cancer story, after they confronted her with findings from their investigation.

Gibson also reportedly told the magazine that she “didn’t want forgiveness.”

Australian consumer affairs officials told The Guardian last month they were investigating Gibson’s finances, notably charitable donations that were allegedly promised but never made.