She faced a lifetime in a filthy Indonesian jail – or worse, the death penalty – when she was arrested in 2004 for bringing 4.2kg of marijuana to Bali.
But more than six years after being released from the notorious Kerobokan Prison, Schapelle Corby is back in Australia and living her best life.
The 43-year-old, who will make her reality TV debut on Channel Seven’s SAS Australia later this month, glows on the cover of Stellar magazine.
From Hotel K to cover girl: Former Bali jailbird-turned-reality star Schapelle Corby looks simply stunning on the cover of Stellar magazine, which hits newsstands on Sunday
The magazine, available with News Corp newspapers, hits newsstands on Sunday.
Schapelle looks stunning on the cover in a light blue shirt with a matching gem ring, as he raven hair cascades downs her shoulders.
Looking remarkably youthful despite her nine years behind bars, she opted for natural-look makeup and sported her signature defined brows.
Ready for the spotlight: Schapelle is one of the celebrity contestants on SAS Australia, an endurance reality show that premieres on Seven on Monday, October 19
The pull-out quote on the magazine’s cover states: ‘I didn’t think I’d turn 40. I didn’t think I’d be released from prison. I’m just so thankful to be able to grow old.’
Schapelle is one of the celebrity contestants on SAS Australia, an endurance reality show that premieres on Seven on Monday, October 19.
The stars will be put to the test both mentally and physically as they attempt to pass the Special Forces’ strict entry requirements.
Under pressure: The stars will be put to the test both mentally and physically as they attempt to pass the Special Forces’ strict entry requirements. Pictured: Candice Warner (left) and Roxy Jacenko (right)
Schapelle will have to endure sleep deprivation and interrogation techniques, but may have an advantage over her rivals because of her experience with Indonesia’s legal system.
In 2005, she was sentenced to 20 years’ prison after 4.2kg of marijuana was found in her boogie board bag at Ngurah Rai International Airport the previous year.
After a series of sentence reductions, she was released on parole in February 2014 after nine years behind bars.
She was deported back to Australia in May 2017 amid a media frenzy.
Tough: Schapelle will have to endure sleep deprivation and interrogation techniques, but may have an advantage over her rivals because of her experience with Indonesia’s legal system
Schapelle is in a long-term relationship with Ben Panangian, 38, an Indonesian surfer she first met at a church service at Kerobokan in 2006.
Earlier this month, reports emerged claiming that Schapelle had been ‘iced out’ by her co-stars while filming SAS Australia in the Snowy Mountains.
Woman’s Day and New Idea claimed she’d been shunned by the other celebrities, who did not believe a convicted criminal deserved to be there.
Sydney PR queen Roxy Jacenko was allegedly very unhappy to be sharing the screen with Schapelle, and felt the convicted criminal ‘stole her thunder’.
Doing time: In 2005, Schapelle was sentenced to 20 years in Bali’s notorious Kerobokan Prison after 4.2kg of marijuana was found in her boogie board bag at Ngurah Rai International Airport the previous year. After a series of sentence reductions, she was released on parole in 2014
Outcast? Earlier this month, reports emerged claiming that Schapelle had been ‘iced out’ by her co-stars while filming SAS Australia. Woman’s Day and New Idea claimed she’d been shunned by the other celebrities, who didn’t believe a convicted criminal deserved to be there
However, cast member Merrick Watts later hinted that the rumours weren’t true in an interview with the Hughesy & Ed radio show on September 8.
‘There has been a lot of conjecture about Schapelle Corby and how she was treated by the rest of the cast,’ the 46-year-old comedian said.
‘I’m here to tell you the only time anyone got upset with Schapelle was me… because I was brought on the show as the drug trafficker and when I found out she was doing my gear I was very, very upset!’ he added.
Merrick’s humourous response seems to suggest that the cast warmed to Schapelle despite her notoriety and didn’t give her the cold shoulder.
Fake news? Cast member Merrick Watts (pictured) later hinted that the rumours weren’t true in an interview with the Hughesy & Ed radio show on September 8