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Inside Elle Macpherson’s $79 million divorce

Friends reveal why the distraught model walked out on her second marriage.
Elle Macpherson and Jeffrey Soffer

Elle Macpherson has yet again found herself unlucky in love, just four years into her latest marriage.

It was recently revealed she lived in fear while she was with the father of her two sons Arpad Busson, who she split from in 2005.

And last week news broke that the Aussie supermodel has called time on the marriage to billionaire property developer Jeffrey Soffer.

The 53-year-old reportedly walked out on Jeff in the wake of rumours he has been secretly wooing other women.

While it’s not the first time they’ve faced problems – they separated several times in the five years before their July 2013 wedding – friends say Elle has finally said “enough is enough.”

The pressure got too much – Elle and Jeffrey have split after nine years together.

While Elle’s keeping mum on her split publicly, one friend tells Woman’s Day her problems with Jeffrey, 48, were no secret among their social circles in Miami, Florida.

“Elle is relieved they’re divorcing – the truth is they’ve been leading virtually separate lives for months,” says our source, adding that Jeffrey’s “roving eye” had long been an issue for Elle.

“Jeffrey has a fearsome temper and there was only so much Elle could take. The atmosphere at home 
had become toxic.”

RELATED VIDEO: Flashback to Elle’s Friends cameo. Post continues after the video…

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After several failed relationships, the Aussie supermodel is looking to a single future – for now.

With her sons Flynn, 19, and Aurelius, 14, under the same roof as the constantly warring couple, friends say it was ongoing fights that led Elle to pull the pin.

“Elle moved out two weeks ago, but really their problems go back two years,” says the friend. “Elle was convinced Jeff was seeing other women behind her back. He was always working late and going out – who knows where – while she was home with the boys.

In addition to rumours of Jeffrey’s skirt-chasing, those close to Elle say the pair’s unsuccessful attempts to fall pregnant in the early stages of their marriage also put strain on the union.

In fact, as reported exclusively by Woman’s Day at the time, the pair found a suitable surrogate, but were heartbroken when she had a change of heart.

For the full story on Elle’s divorce, get the latest issue of Woman’s Day – on sale now!

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