Being the children of one of the most iconic supermodels in history doesn’t faze Cindy Crawford’s kids.
Crawford, 59, shares daughter Kaia, 23, and son Presley, 25, with husband Rande Gerber, businessman who used to be a model. Both kids have followed in their mother’s footsteps on the catwalk, working as models.
Kaia says she was destined to do whatever her mom did.
“I think probably no matter what she did, I would have wanted to do that. She’s always been my biggest inspiration and hero,” she told "TODAY" in an interview with her brother and mother that aired May 8.
Presley said he grew up knowing his mom was a celebrity.
“It was definitely the attention, like when people would walk by and you’re like, ‘Oh my God, that’s Cindy Crawford.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, yeah. I think. I’m pretty sure it is,’” he said.
Crawford balanced motherhood while working as a world famous model and businesswoman. She knew from the start that family was the most important thing.
“The greatest thing about having kids is you just ... instantly know your priorities. You know it’s always family first,” she said, before turning to her son. “I think you told in preschool, (when) there was, like, ‘What do your parents do for work?’ And you told your preschool teachers that I didn’t work, and I was like, ‘Wow, that means I’m doing a great job,’ because he doesn’t feel my absence so much.”
Kaia jumped into the business early, working with her mother in commercials as a toddler, and later appearing on the cover of Vogue with her. Presley has also worked as a model, even starring in an updated version of his mother’s famous Pepsi Super Bowl commercial. While the kids have embraced the family business, Kaia says their mother doesn’t interfere in their career.
“You are so not a stage mom,” she said.
“Not at all,” echoed Presley.
“It’s in a way where I’m like I kind of wish you were a little bit more, but she’s so not a stage mom at all, because she’s had her own life experiences, and she has never lived vicariously through us,” continued Kaia.
Crawford, Gerber and their children are now the face and partner of Vuori Clothing, a brand Gerber found at a popup store in Malibu, California. Presley said this was the perfect opportunity for the whole family to work together.
“I think it’s given my dad and I, and the rest of the family, as well, an opportunity to be creative in a way where we typically don’t all have an interest in one thing,” he said. “I think that kind of opened up a new a new door.”
The family has managed to juggle the demands of work while navigating careers. Kaia says Crawford is the reason for them remaining such a tight-knit family.
“I really credit you to being the glue,” she said to Crawford.
“I think she is the planner,” Kaia continued. “She always makes sure always did Sunday pizza nights. And I also think they, both her and my father, have done a really good job. They created this environment that we always want to go back to.”
While her kids credit her for creating a loving home, Crawford doesn’t need a big show of appreciation. With Mother’s Day on the horizon, she said she doesn’t need a pricey gift. Instead, Crawford prefers something simple to celebrate Mother’s Day, telling "TODAY" she’d be happy with a handwritten card.
