Presley Gerber, the model son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, has died aged 27. He passed away on Sunday 20 September at a rehabilitation facility, according to records filed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
A representative for the family confirmed the news, asking the public to respect their grief. "The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time," said Allie Jenkins, spokesperson for Crawford and Rande Gerber, in a statement.
A Career That Began in His Teens
Born in California in 1999, Presley Gerber was signed by IMG Models at the age of 15, making his runway debut for Moschino's Resort show in Los Angeles in 2016. He went on to walk for some of fashion's most prestigious houses, including Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta, Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren, as well as fronting campaigns for Calvin Klein, Celine, Pepsi and Omega.
In 2018, he starred alongside his mother in Pepsi's Super Bowl commercial — a moment that carried particular resonance, coming 26 years after Crawford's iconic 1992 Pepsi advertisement. That same year, he and his younger sister Kaia Gerber appeared together in a campaign for Calvin Klein. "We're a close family, especially me and my sister, so it's definitely cool," he told People Magazine at the time. "We get to travel together half of the time, so it makes it a lot less lonely."
Open About His Struggles
In recent years, Presley had stepped back from modelling and spoken with increasing candour about his mental health and addiction. In a 2023 appearance on the Studio 22 podcast, he reflected on the toll those battles had taken — and why he felt compelled to speak publicly about them.
"Having struggled with mental health, depression and some other things that come along with that, I think that whether I help one person or a hundred people get out of that place that I was in at one point in my life, that's all I need to do."
He also described managing his mental health as an ongoing, all-consuming effort. "It is such a big part of my life. It's a 24/7 job, and there's so much to it," he said. He used his social media platform to continue those conversations, running a series of "Mental Health Mondays" videos and sharing posts about his recovery. In 2019, he had been arrested for driving under the influence in Beverly Hills, resulting in three years' probation, a DUI programme and two days of community service.
A Sister's Tribute
The depth of Presley's struggles — and his refusal to conceal them — had already been addressed publicly just weeks before his death. In the September 2026 issue of American Vogue, his sister Kaia spoke candidly about his "decade-long struggle with drug addiction" and the profound effect it had on their family dynamic.
"My parents for most of our lives were very, very private and didn't share anything — and now we have this absolute teacher, my brother, who says, 'I'm gonna be very human for everyone.' There's only so much you can hide from the world."
Kaia also revealed how growing up alongside her brother's difficulties had shaped her own reluctance to ask for help. "When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone. I think that's also why I started to self-identify as the easy one and never wanted to ask for help. Because it felt like too much to have two children who were needing," she said.
In July, Crawford marked her son's 27th birthday with a childhood photograph posted to Instagram. "I'm so proud of the man you've become, but I'll always see you as my little boy! Love you," she wrote — words that now carry a devastating weight.
Presley Gerber is survived by his parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, and his sister, Kaia Gerber. His father co-founded the Casamigos tequila brand with actor George Clooney.
If you are struggling with addiction or mental health, contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (UK, free, 24 hours) or visit samaritans.org.
