The Truth About Cindy Crawford's Marriage To Rande Gerber
Cindy Crawford is internationally famous for her work as a model. In fact, she rose to fame as part of the first group of "supermodels" in the 1980s — which also included models Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, and Linda Evangelista — who were known all over the world often by only their first names (per Britannica). Crawford's professional life hasn't only been limited to modeling, as she has appeared on TV and in films as well.
Crawford met her husband, Rande Gerber, at a wedding and became friends. The two even have a fun thing in common: Gerber also worked as a model for a time, though he ultimately switched his focus to business, as Business Insider noted. Gerber and his brothers are founders of The Gerber Group, a collection of bars and restaurants, and, according to Business Insider, Gerber is also co-owner of the tequila brand Casamigos alongside actor George Clooney.
Crawford and Gerber have been married for over 20 years and have lived a life together filled with happiness, trials, and adventure. Here's a look into those 20+ years and what might be in store for these two.
Cindy Crawford was married to Richard Gere when she met Rande Gerber
Cindy Crawford and her husband, Rande Gerber, were both in other relationships when they met at her agent's wedding. In fact, Crawford was then married to Hollywood heavyweight Richard Gere. Their four-year marriage ended in 1995, and Crawford later told Harper's Bazaar that the marriage didn't work out largely because she was just too young at the time of their wedding. "There wasn't a good power balance there and that was my fault because I gave all my power away to him," she said.
Crawford also told the publication that she's happy both she and Gerber were involved with others when they met because they were able to be themselves without playing any games. She explained, "Rande also had a girlfriend at the time so he wasn't looking to meet anyone either and that's the best time to meet someone because that's when you're truly yourselves." Crawford added that the two didn't kick things off romantically until they were both single.
Friendship is at the core of their marriage
The fact that Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber didn't immediately jump into a relationship together gave them the opportunity to get to know one another as friends first, and they have both said that friendship is at the core of their relationship to this day. As Gerber explained to Entertainment Tonight, "You have to just keep that friendship and fun in the relationship."
Crawford echoed this sentiment while speaking in an episode of Oprah's "Master Class" series. She explained that being friends first meant the two had a different feeling about one another from the beginning. "Being rooted and based in friendship, it keeps the relationship elevated," she said. "There's always a certain level of respect" (via the Daily Mail).
Crawford added that she and Gerber listen to each other well when they speak and that their friendship is one she hopes to have in her life no matter what.
Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber married in the Bahamas in 1998
Cindy Crawford and Rande Geber made their relationship official on May 29, 1998, when they married in the Bahamas. Brides reports that the secret beachfront wedding was both upscale and relaxed. Crawford wore a white mini dress she bought off the rack and walked down the aisle barefoot with Gerber accompanying her. She explained that the pair made the decision together, telling Brides, "Rather than have my dad walk me down the aisle and give me away, Rande and I chose to walk each other down the stairs that led to the beach and the ceremony."
Despite the couple's celebrity status, it seems like simplicity was the theme of the day. Michelle White, the florist for the event, told People, "It was the simplest wedding I've ever done.” The publication also noted that the pair even kept the guest list small, as they reportedly only invited around 90 guests, who enjoyed carrot cake for dessert (reportedly Crawford's favorite), while dancing to the music of Bahamian natives The Baha Men (of "Who Let the Dogs Out" fame).
The longtime couple has two children together
Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber also carry the important titles of mom and dad. Famous Birthdays notes that their children, Presley and Kaia, were each born at home in 1999 and 2001 respectively. Crawford later told Harper's Bazaar that delivering her children at home with a midwife was an empowering experience. "I felt so strong and I trusted my body," she said.
Crawford shared with Harper's Bazaar her and her husband's thoughts on daughter Kaia's aspirations to pursue modeling professionally, with her goal of becoming a model for Victoria's Secret. "In my generation that wasn't exactly the pinnacle, but today those are the girls with huge social media followings and it's different," she said. "I don't know how happy her dad is about that."
Crawford explained that while she's been supportive of her daughter's plans, Gerber has been less enthusiastic — and he hasn't exactly shied away from expressing how he feels on the topic. In fact, he was quite blunt when he told Entertainment Tonight that, in response to his daughter's growing fame, he plans to "buy a shotgun." Ouch.
Cindy Crawford has given her kids advice about following in her footsteps
Of their two children, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber's daughter, Kaia Gerber, seems the most eager to follow in her mother's footsteps by pursuing modeling and fame. As a result, Cindy and Kaia have collaborated in interviews and in modeling projects. In 2019, the two sat down with Vogue to chat about Kaia's journey toward becoming a model and how her mother's fame has (or has not) influenced her career. "Talk about a point of reference! If anyone had a point of reference, I definitely did and one of the best ones," the younger model said. "For me [modeling] wasn't a foreign world to go into and I felt like I understood it."
Kaia's older brother, Presley Gerber, hasn't had quite as easy a time making his own mark on the world. As a source told Us Weekly in 2020, "There's a lot of pressure on him because his parents and Kaia are so successful ... He wants to do his own thing and find his own place in the world."
Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber own several properties
Like a lot of celebrity couples, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber have invested in homes for themselves over the years. Of course, the two have advantages that make it possible for them to purchase some truly show-stopping homes, like the waterfront property they bought in Miami Beach, Florida, in 2020. Per Architectural Digest, the waterfront home boasts five bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms along with clear views of the bay.
The two also own a home in Malibu, California, that they attempted to sell before the coronavirus pandemic hit (via Architectural Digest) as well as a cottage in Toronto and a mansion in Beverly Hills (per Architectural Digest).
When it comes to decorating their homes, Crawford has admitted that the pair has struggled. She told People that when they first moved in together, their different aesthetics were difficult to work around: She prefers traditional decor, while he's all about contemporary. Eventually, the two learned that they just needed some give and take. "I think we would both agree that our combined projects are more layered and interesting because they have to make room for both of our aesthetics," she said. We love that both their personal styles shine through.
They've battled divorce rumors over the years
While their marriage seems to be pretty solid, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber have battled divorce rumors more than once over the years. In 2018, a source told In Touch Weekly that the two were under marital strain and that "there has been constant drama in their marriage for years" (per Closer Weekly). The source also claimed that they were living separate lives.
However, neither Crawford nor Gerber has ever substantiated or addressed those claims. In fact, the two have publicly demonstrated nothing but love and loyalty to one another. For example, Crawford took to Instagram on Valentine's Day in 2021 to say that Gerber is still the love of her life, writing, "I'm proud of us for the life we have created. Even when things get crazy, when we join forces, we can get through anything."
In 2009, the two faced a sexual harassment suit filed against Rande Gerber
In 2009, two women who had previously worked for Gerber Bars and Gerber Entities filed a lawsuit alleging they were victims of sexual harassment. Cindy Crawford's husband, Rande Gerber, was named in the suit. Gerber's friend and business partner George Clooney was even brought into the fray when he was called as a witness for Gerber, who was accused of kissing one of the women several times and of putting his hand up her dress, according to the Daily Mail.
Gerber denied the allegations completely, with his spokesperson issuing a short statement which read, "These allegations were previously investigated and shown to be baseless. This lawsuit has no merit" (per the Daily Mail). A resolution to the case is difficult to track down online, and neither Crawford nor Gerber has addressed the lawsuit in the years since.
Whatever did or didn't happen, the couple clearly pulled through the experience together.
The supermodel and her husband don't talk much about their relationship
Communication is an important part of any relationship; however, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber seem to be thriving even without a lot of communication. As Crawford admitted to the Mirror, they don't communicate all that often, even about their relationship. She told the publication that, as "the more emotional one," she often needs to check in with her husband more often than he does with her. She said this is due to Gerber's philosophy, explaining, "He'd be happy to never talk about the relationship again. Rande's philosophy is, 'If everything's good, why talk about it, and if it's bad, why talk about it?'"
Maybe this is why Gerber enjoys one such hobby she's taken up that requires no talking at all — and it even helps keep things fun in their marriage: pole dancing! As Crawford told the Mirror, the lighting in the classroom is so dark it's not even possible to see who is in the class with you. "You dance to music differently because you hear it differently," she described. "And my husband does not complain," she added.
It's clear that the gorgeous couple still enjoy each other's company
Whatever ups and downs Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber have experienced over the years, the most important thing is that they have encountered — and conquered — them together. The couple has been married for 23 years, as of this writing, which is an impressive feat to reach, especially when both parties still appear deeply in love. In May 2021, Crawford wrote a sweet note on Instagram to mark the pair's anniversary, saying, "This night 23 years ago was magical ... and you're still the one!"
Gerber also regularly shares sweet photos of his wife on his own Instagram account that offer a glimpse into the life they share together. From trips to Nashville, Tennessee, and Key West, Florida, to anniversary notes and birthday wishes, it's clear that Gerber's feelings for Crawford remain strong — and vice-versa. And while the two don't share selfies all that often, every once in a while, they drop a surprise on social media that clearly delights their fans.