Cindy Crawford

Cindy Crawford – Supermodel (F)

Biography / Gallery

Birth name: Cynthia Ann Crawford
Date of birth: 20 February 1966
Place of birth: DeKalb, Illinois, USA
Height: 5' 9½"
Category: Model, Actress, Entrepreneur

Early Life & Family

Cindy Crawford was born in DeKalb, Illinois, the second of four children of John and Jennifer Crawford. Her younger brother, Jeffrey, died of leukemia when she was ten, an event she has often described as shaping her sense of purpose and later charitable work. Her parents divorced when she was sixteen.

Academically gifted, she graduated at the top of her high-school class and briefly studied chemical engineering at Northwestern University. She left after one quarter, choosing instead to pursue modelling full-time after being discovered by a local photographer while working a summer job shucking corn.

Rise to Fame

Crawford’s decision proved pivotal. By the late 1980s she had become one of the defining faces of the emerging “supermodel era.” She has appeared on more than 600 magazine covers worldwide — including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Allure, ELLE, W, and People — making her one of the most photographed models of all time.

Her early breakthrough came with high-profile runway work and major advertising campaigns, including her first major commercial appearance as a spokesperson for Pepsi, which made her instantly recognisable to a global audience.

Career Beyond Modelling

Crawford became one of the first models to successfully transition into mainstream entertainment. From 1989 to 1995 she hosted the MTV program House of Style, which helped popularise fashion culture for a new generation.

She later expanded into fitness and lifestyle projects, producing a series of best-selling workout videos such as Shape Your Body and The Next Challenge. She also authored the beauty guide Cindy Crawford’s Basic Face, offering practical advice from her years in the industry.

In the 2000s and 2010s, Crawford shifted focus toward business, co-founding furniture and home décor lines, as well as the successful beauty brand Meaningful Beauty, developed with dermatologist Jean-Louis Sebagh.

Philanthropy & Advocacy

Crawford has been an active supporter of medical research charities, particularly those involving cancer and leukemia. Her commitment stems from the loss of her brother Jeffrey; she has donated significant time and resources to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and a portion of the proceeds from her calendars and commercial ventures has gone toward research funding.

She also supports organisations focusing on breast and ovarian cancer, regularly participating in fundraising campaigns and awareness initiatives.

Personal Life

Crawford married businessman Rande Gerber in 1998. They have two children: Presley Walker Gerber and Kaia Jordan Gerber, both of whom have pursued careers in modelling. Kaia, in particular, has become a prominent figure in fashion.

Recent Work & 2020s Update

In 2015 she published the memoir/photographic retrospective Becoming, reflecting on her life, career, and the evolution of modelling. Throughout the 2020s she has continued to appear in selective fashion campaigns and special reunion shoots celebrating the original supermodels.

In 2023 she reunited with fellow ‘90s supermodels for the Apple TV+ documentary The Super Models, exploring the rise of the industry and their cultural impact. She also remains active in her lifestyle brand and philanthropic work.

As of 2025, Cindy Crawford continues to be regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern fashion — a model whose career helped define an era and whose business and charity work keep her firmly in public consciousness.

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