Cindy Crawford Opened Up About ‘Empty Nesting’ Just Days Before Son Presley’s Death

LOS ANGELES — Just 10 days before the death of her son, Presley Gerber, supermodel Cindy Crawford spoke candidly about a major transition in her life: becoming an empty nester.

In an interview with PORTER, published September 10, Crawford reflected on what it has been like watching her two children, Presley and Kaia Gerber, grow into adulthood and leave the family home. At the time, she was focused on the next chapter of her marriage to husband Rande Gerber.

Presley died September 20 at age 27 at a rehabilitation facility, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. Authorities are investigating his death, and an official cause has not yet been released.

“No One Ever Talks About” Empty Nesting

Crawford admitted that she and Rande had spent years thinking about raising a family, but they had rarely considered what life would look like once their children were grown.

“No one ever talks about what this phase looks like, empty nesting, because it’s so far away you can’t even imagine it.”

She described the transition as an opportunity for the couple to reconsider their relationship and decide what they wanted their lives to look like together.

Redefining Life With Rande

The longtime couple, who married in 1998, were adjusting to having more independence as their children established lives of their own.

Crawford said they had been asking themselves questions about whether they wanted to travel more and how they wanted to spend their time together.

“It’s an opportunity for us to redefine our relationship.”

She described figuring out that next chapter as something they were enjoying rather than something they had completely planned.

Crawford Was Looking Forward to Becoming a Grandmother

During the same conversation, Crawford also spoke about another future milestone she hoped to experience: becoming a grandmother.

She acknowledged that neither of her children appeared to be close to starting families at the time, but said she was excited by the possibility.

“I’m at the age where a lot of my friends are starting to have grandkids.”

She added that she hoped she would eventually get to experience that part of life herself.

Presley’s Struggles Were Public

Presley had previously spoken openly about his struggles with mental health and substance use.

In a 2023 podcast interview, he discussed wanting to use his experiences to help other people facing similar challenges. He also documented aspects of his recovery journey publicly, including his experiences with rehabilitation and different substances.

People close to the family have said Crawford and Rande spent years trying to support their son through those struggles. According to PEOPLE, the couple pursued therapy, rehabilitation programs, sober coaches and other forms of treatment for Presley.

A Conversation Now Seen in a Different Light

Crawford’s interview was published before Presley’s death and was not about his health or the circumstances surrounding his eventual death.

But after losing her son just days later, her comments about family, adulthood and the future have inevitably taken on a different meaning.

Crawford and Rande also share daughter Kaia, who has followed her mother into modeling and acting.

The family has asked for privacy as they grieve Presley’s death while the investigation into the circumstances surrounding it continues.