London - Sashaying forth in a see-through gown, Marie Helvin is in sensational shape for a 60-year-old.
And the secret, she has revealed, is giving up the booze.
“Since I gave up drinking eight months ago I have never felt better,” she said following her first catwalk appearance in six years.
“I turned 60 this year and I have to say that I have never felt sexier or been in better shape.”
The former wife of fashion photographer David Bailey was appearing at the Lingerie London fashion gala alongside much younger celebrities including Peaches Geldof, 23, model Abbey Clancy, 26, and Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding, 30.
Helvin, who also appeared in an Agent Provocateur corset and suspenders, admitted: “To have a figure like I do, I have to work hard at it. I work out at least three to four times a week in the gym.
“Not having alcohol has kept the weight off around my waist, my skin feels so much better and I am sleeping really well.
“I found that my sleep was really interrupted before when I was drinking.”
Sadly her rejuvenated figure has not helped her love life. “Whilst I may look good I do find it hard to find the right man,” she said. “I finally understand the term cougar and I now know that I am one. I never get asked out by men my own age as they all want to go out with 20-year-olds and the men that do ask me out are too young.”
After being discovered at the age of 15, Hawaii-raised Helvin was one of the original supermodels, finding fame alongside her friend Jerry Hall in the 1970s.
She went on to model for exclusive fashion houses including Yves Saint Laurent, Versace and Valentino, appearing on the front cover of Vogue a record 12 times.
There has been much speculation in the past about her peachy, unlined skin, but Miss Helvin has always denied having surgery, attributing her youthfulness to a clean and healthy lifestyle.
In a 2008 interview, she said: “I am a vegetarian. I don’t want to have anything injected into me that I can’t eat. I am a real health nut. I look after myself well. I don’t believe women want to have that facelift look.”
Helvin was married to Bailey from 1975 to 1985. She has also dated a number of famous men including Jack Nicholson and Eric Clapton. - Daily Mail