Viewers of the 2026 season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here Australia were surprised — and quietly thrilled — when international supermodel Rachel Hunter walked into the South African jungle.
Once settled into camp, the New Zealand-born star began sharing stories from her remarkable life, including her high-profile marriage to British rock legend Rod Stewart. In just the second episode, she opened up even further about their relationship, sparking fresh interest among Australian audiences who remember her from magazine covers and red carpets in the 1990s.
The timing feels fitting. Back in May 1993, Rachel was the cover star of The Australian Women’s Weekly, where she spoke candidly about how she had “tamed” Rod Stewart. The exclusive feature, now being revisited, offers a rare and deeply personal snapshot of a young woman balancing fame, motherhood, and life with one of the world’s biggest rock stars.
From Auckland Dreams to Global Fame
Born and raised in Glenfield, Auckland, Rachel Hunter originally wanted to become a ballet dancer. A childhood illness changed that path, pushing her toward modelling instead.
By just 16, she had launched her career across France, Australia and New Zealand. From there, her rise was swift and global.
Rachel went on to appear in Australian Vogue, Italian Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Australian Cosmopolitan, Sports Illustrated, Elle (US edition), Playboy, and, of course, The Australian Women’s Weekly. Her face became one of the most recognisable in fashion during the 1990s.
Her TV career later expanded into reality and lifestyle programming. She served as a judge on New Zealand’s Got Talent from 2012 to 2013 and hosted her own travel series, Rachel Hunter’s Tour of Beauty, exploring how different cultures define beauty.
A Whirlwind Romance With Rod Stewart
Rachel met Rod Stewart in Los Angeles when she was 21. He was 24 years older.
After a whirlwind romance, the pair married just three months later on 15 December 1990. Together, they had two children: Renée, born in 1992, and Liam, born in 1994.
Rachel later became a grandmother in May 2023, when Liam welcomed his first child, Louie Mark Roderick Stewart.
Their marriage lasted eight years. The couple separated in January 1999, and their divorce was finalised in November 2009.
Before Rod, Rachel dated rock musician Kip Winger in the late 1980s. After their separation, she went on to have a relationship with Canadian NHL player Jarret Stoll, who mentored her son Liam in hockey. Jarret proposed in 2008, but the wedding was called off seven weeks before the ceremony in 2009.
As of 2026, Rachel is not publicly dating, though she has hinted she may reveal more during her time on I’m a Celebrity.
Inside a Rare 1993 Interview
In her 1993 Australian Women’s Weekly interview, Rachel came across as grounded, practical, and deeply devoted to her family.
She was photographed mid-morning in a smoggy Los Angeles studio near Beverly Hills. Between takes, she phoned home to check on her 11-month-old daughter, Renée, discussing soy milk, nappies, and whether the baby seat would fit in the back of a Ferrari.
Despite the luxury, Rachel insisted she was no different from anyone else.
“I know I’m a pretty lucky person,” she said at the time, “but I was born with responsibility in my genes.”
She described herself as the organiser in her marriage — the one who kept things running smoothly and wasn’t afraid to tell Rod off if something hadn’t been done.
“If Rod and I split tomorrow, I wouldn’t take a penny,” she said. “I can take care of myself. All I’d worry about is that Renée gets looked after. Rod would always look after his kids. He always has.”
Rod had three other children at the time: Kimberley and Sean from his first marriage to Alana Hamilton, and Ruby from his relationship with Kelly Emberg.
Motherhood Changed Everything
Rachel said becoming a mother had softened her.
“If I’m in a bad mood, all I have to do is look at that little smiling face and I know I’m behaving stupidly,” she said. “She calms me down. I don’t jump on people so much anymore.”
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She praised Rod as a hands-on father, calling him inventive, playful, and deeply loving with Renée.
She also spoke carefully about her role with Rod’s other children, saying she didn’t try to replace their mother.
“I make all the kids welcome whenever they’re with us,” she said. “They need to know they have a place to come to.”
Weathering the Media Storm
By 1993, Rachel and Rod’s marriage had already faced intense media scrutiny, including stories about his past relationships and claims made by a former housekeeper.
Rachel handled it with calm defiance.
“I only got mad about one thing,” she said. “People said we slept with a pillow between us. That’s not true. We never have.”
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She dismissed other rumours, including claims that Rod had asked another woman to marry him the same week he proposed to her.
“When we first started going out, I told Rod I didn’t want to be hurt,” she said. “Faithfulness matters to me. If he messed up, that would be it. I’d be gone.”
Independence, Work, and Staying Grounded
Rachel said growing up in New Zealand gave her strong values and a clear sense of right and wrong.
She left home at 15 after her parents separated and supported herself through modelling. Rejection, she said, never felt personal.
“You’ve got to say, ‘This is me, like it or lump it,’” she said.
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Motherhood didn’t change her desire to work.
“I’m only 23. I should be working,” she said in 1993. “I like being independent. I like having my own money. I can’t imagine buying Rod a Christmas present with his money.”
She also revealed she had almost stopped drinking alcohol after Renée’s birth and preferred quiet nights at home with her husband.
“Rod’s calmed down,” she said. “He’s not the party animal people think he is. He’s sensitive and wonderful.”
A Moment That Still Resonates
The interview ended on a tender note. Rachel’s Irish nanny arrived with baby Renée, and Rachel’s face lit up.
“Come to Mummy,” she said, arms outstretched.
Moments later, Renée needed a nappy change. Rachel laughed.
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“And to think, I want another one,” she said. “I don’t want to wait too long.”
More than three decades later, that same grounded warmth is what Australian viewers are seeing again on I’m a Celebrity. Behind the glamour, Rachel Hunter remains the practical, fiercely independent woman who once told The Australian Women’s Weekly she could survive anything — as long as her children were looked after.
And for a new generation of Australians discovering her story, that honesty may be her most enduring legacy.