Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber Pay Tribute to ‘sweet, beautiful soul’ Presley Following His Death at 27

The family of Presley Gerber has released an emotional tribute following the tragic death of the 27-year-old model. The son of iconic supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber passed away on Sunday (20 September) at a rehab facility, prompting an outpouring of grief and remembrance across the fashion and entertainment communities.

Breaking their silence on social media, the Gerber family shared a collective statement on Instagram reflecting on Presley’s life and impact. We are beyond heartbroken to lose our beloved son and brother. We feel so blessed to have had Presley in our lives for 27 years. He is a sweet, beautiful soul who loved and is loved, now and forever, the family stated. The message continued: We are so proud of how he showed up in the world, with kindness and vulnerability. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from so many who know and love our family and even strangers who feel our pain. Til we meet again our sweet boy. We love you forever, Mom, Dad and Kaia. A short statement issued last month by his mother’s publicist had initially confirmed the tragedy, stating: The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time.

Family and Friends Share Emotional Tributes

His younger sister, actress and model Kaia Gerber, published an extensive personal tribute alongside childhood imagery and video footage on Instagram. Expressing that she lacked words, she reflected on their deep bond: You know how much i loved being your sister. it has always been, and will forever be, my favorite thing about myself. i came into this world with a white-knuckle grip around you. i had more love for you than i knew what to do with. and now that it has nowhere obvious to go, i’m certain it’s going to swallow me whole. Kaia referred to Presley as her ‘ultimate teacher’, adding: i am learning how to love you when i cannot see you. how to tell you something without picking up my phone to call you. how to be your sister in a world that i can’t reach for you in. i don’t know how to do that yet.

Prominent figures from the entertainment and fashion worlds have also voiced their heartbreak. Socialite Paris Hilton paid homage on Instagram, describing Presley as a beautiful soul and sharing: I’m completely heartbroken, I still can’t believe this is real. Presley, you were such a beautiful soul. So sweet, sensitive, kind and genuine. I cared about you so much, and And I’m going to miss you more than words can say. Brooklyn Beckham also posted condolences, stating that he was left heartbroken: Presley, you were the kindest and we are going to miss you so much. We love you.

Presley Gerber’s Fashion Career and Public Advocacy

Following in the footsteps of his mother Cindy Crawford, Presley Gerber entered the fashion world as a teenager, making his official runway debut for Moschino at age 16. Over the course of his career, the California native walked for top international design houses including Burberry, Bottega Veneta, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ralph Lauren, alongside regular appearances in Vogue magazine. In 2018, he appeared alongside Crawford in a high-profile Super Bowl commercial, an experience he described as so fun and easy.

Discussing the project at the time with People, he shared: I am really excited to be in [Pepsi’s] commercial with my mom, especially since her commercial from back in the day is so iconic. I feel like now I get to hop in there with her, which is really cool. We literally drove from our house to work together, then drove home together. He added: But we’re a really tight family, so it was just like going to work with one of your friends. It was so fun, and easy.

In addition to his modeling career, Presley was widely recognized for his openness concerning his mental health journey and history of substance abuse. He previously engaged with his audience through a social media series titled ‘Mental Health Mondays’, providing transparent reflections on his well-being. In a recent profile with Vogue, Kaia praised her brother’s decision to speak openly, noting that she had historically avoided asking her parents for assistance because it felt overwhelming to have two children in need. Discussing Presley’s public transparency, the 25-year-old observed: My parents for most of our lives were very, very private and didn’t share anything, continuing: And now we have this absolute teacher, my brother, who says, ‘I’m gonna be very human for everyone’. She added: There’s only so much you can hide from the world. And trying to put a lid on something just makes the person feel like you’re ashamed of them.

The Gerber family had long been vocal in supporting Presley’s path toward healing. Following an Instagram update shared by Presley in May, Crawford called him a ‘warrior’, commenting: Walked thru the fire to find yourself! So proud! Kaia expressed that she was so damn proud, while Casamigos co-founder Rande Gerber wrote: I’m so proud of you and your courage. The father concluded: Facing what’s hard takes real strength and watching you find your way back to yourself is everything. I love you so much.

Why This Matters

Presley Gerber’s passing highlights ongoing conversations surrounding the intense pressures faced by high-profile figures in fashion and entertainment, particularly second-generation talent growing up under public scrutiny. By candidly launching initiatives like ‘Mental Health Mondays’ and publicly discussing his recovery journey, Presley challenged traditional stigmas surrounding addiction and vulnerability within celebrity circles.

For those seeking support, several services offer assistance:

• FRANK: For confidential advice about drugs, individuals can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111, contact the service through their website 24/7, or access live chat services from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM daily.
• CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): For support with distressing thoughts and feelings, CALM is open from 5:00 PM to midnight, 365 days a year, reachable via their national line at 0800 58 58 58 or through their webchat service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where and when did Presley Gerber pass away?

Presley Gerber passed away on Sunday (20 September) at a rehabilitation facility at the age of 27.

What modeling milestones did Presley Gerber achieve?

Presley Gerber made his runway debut at 16 for Moschino and modeled for prominent luxury fashion labels such as Burberry, Bottega Veneta, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ralph Lauren, in addition to featuring in Vogue and starring alongside mother Cindy Crawford in a 2018 Super Bowl commercial.

How did Presley Gerber address mental health and substance abuse?

Presley addressed his experiences directly with the public, hosting an online series called ‘Mental Health Mondays’ to discuss his journey with honesty, vulnerability, and transparent discussions regarding recovery.