Kaia Gerber and her late older brother, Presley Gerber, helped each other navigate the modeling industry and supported each other through difficult times before Presley’s sudden death.
Us confirmed in September 2026 that Presley died in a rehab facility, according to records obtained online through the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. He was 27 years old.
Kaia and Presley’s parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, told Us in a statement, “The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time.”
Keep scrolling to learn more about Kaia and Presley’s relationship:
Kaia Gerber and Presley Gerber Grew Up Together in Malibu
In an August 2026 interview with Vogue, Kaia opened up about her upbringing in Malibu alongside Presley during the height of their mother’s fame as an international supermodel.
“Unfortunately, all the things that people assume are true,” she recalled. “I was in the ocean every day. My brother would go surfing and then walk up to school in his wetsuit with his surfboard, barefoot. You’re with the same kids from preschool to when you graduate. There were no Ubers there, so your parents were driving you to parties and then picking you up. There was only so much trouble you could get into.”
Kaia Gerber and Presley Gerber Entered the Modeling World Together
Kaia and Presley both signed with IMG Models as teens and supported each other off and on the runway, including a 2018 campaign with Calvin Klein and more.
“We’re a close family, especially me and my sister, so it’s definitely cool,” Presley told People at the time. “We get to travel together half of the time, so it makes it a lot less lonely.”
Kaia Gerber and Presley Gerber Have Sibling Tattoos
In 2018, Presley paid tribute to Kaia with a tattoo of her name on his left tricep. Kaia later returned the favor by getting a “Prez” tattoo on her upper shoulder. She also has his birth year, 1999, on her ankle.
Kaia Gerber Opened Up About Presley Gerber’s Addiction Battle Before His Death
In her September 2026 Vogue interview, Kaia reflected on Presley’s decade-long battle with addiction and mental health struggles.
“When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone,” she explained. “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.”
Kaia also praised her brother for being so open about his journey. (Presley shared candid mental health updates in Instagram videos in the months before his death.)
“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,’” she continued. “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.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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