Robyn Lawley breaks down stereotypes in the fashion industry, all while fighting for her own life

Kelsey Hendrix | Dec 9, 2015

James Macari/SI

It's easy to assume that 2015 was the best year of Robyn Lawley's life. She became an SI Swimsuit model, gave birth to her first child, daughter Ripley, and continued to dominate both in the fashion and culinary worlds. But what wasn't clear to the mere outside observer was the battle Robyn was fighting on the inside.

In a new, eye-opening interview with Marie Claire Australia, Robyn talks about facing her life-threatening diagnosis while simultaneously tackling the job of new mom. Robyn reveals that for months, she experienced such pain that see and walk, let alone talk or eat. After a plethora of invasive tests, doctors found SLE lupus was the blame.

"They don't know the cause of my condition or if it is genetic," Robyn told the publication. "But basically the cells are attacking themselves."

Unfortunately, the bad news didn't stop there. Because these kind of conditions are for life, Robyn had to make the difficult decision not to have any more children. "I won't get pregnant again out of pure fear," she explained. "If I had another attack while I was pregnant, the medicine I would have to take is so hardcore it'd probably cause health problems for the baby. It's too risky, so I am done."

Luckily, Robyn has a supportive partner and family who carried her through her illness. She says her own health problems also helped her to "realize there are much bigger things to be concerned about (than starving oneself to fit the mold of the modeling industry)."

Robyn tells her fans at SI Swimsuit and beyond that they're not to worry, though. With proper medicine and a healthy diet, she'll be able to control her illness and continue working to create the beautiful images and projects we all love.

To read the full story from Marie Claire, be sure to pick up the latest issue on international newsstands now.

BONUS: See some of Robyn's best moments from SI Swimsuit 2015!

Robyn Lawley was photographed by James Macari in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.