Rande Gerber is an American businessman best known for building the Gerber Group nightlife empire, co-founding Casamigos tequila with George Clooney, and his long marriage to Cindy Crawford. Many people search for him as “Randy Gerber.” In 2026, his name came back into the headlines for a painful reason: the death of his only son, Presley Gerber, at age 27. This guide covers who he is, how he built his wealth, and how his family is coping with that loss.
Biography Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rande Gerber |
| Nickname | Randy Gerber (common misspelling in searches) |
| Date of Birth | April 27, 1962 |
| Place of Birth | Long Island, New York, USA |
| Age | 64 (as of 2026) |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Profession/Occupation | Businessman, nightlife entrepreneur, former model |
| Education | University of Arizona (marketing degree) |
| Genre/Field | Hospitality, nightlife, spirits |
| Spouse/Partner | Cindy Crawford (married 1998) |
| Children | Presley Gerber (1999–2026), Kaia Gerber (born 2001) |
| Net Worth | Estimated around $400 million |
| Notable Works | Gerber Group, Whiskey Blue, SkyBar, Casamigos Tequila |
Who Is Rande Gerber?
Rande Gerber is a hospitality entrepreneur who changed how hotel bars work in America. Before him, a hotel bar was usually a quiet place for guests to wait. He turned those spaces into stylish lounges that locals wanted to visit.
His second big chapter came through tequila. With George Clooney and Mike Meldman, he co-founded Casamigos, which later sold to Diageo in one of the biggest celebrity spirits deals ever. That sale moved him from “successful bar owner” to a major name in business.
To the public, he is also known as Cindy Crawford’s husband and the father of models Presley and Kaia Gerber. He has generally kept a low profile compared to his wife and children. Having followed celebrity business stories for years, I find that his quiet approach is part of why his ventures have lasted.
Rande Gerber Young: Early Life, Education and Modeling
Rande Gerber was born on April 27, 1962, and raised in Hewlett, a town on Long Island, New York. He grew up close to Manhattan, which later shaped his interest in city nightlife and entertainment.
He was scouted at 16 and signed with Ford Models. As a young model, he worked on campaigns for brands like Benetton and Sassoon. Photos of Rande Gerber young often show up in searches because his modeling years overlapped with the rise of fashion as pop culture.
He later studied at the University of Arizona and earned a marketing degree. That background in marketing is easy to spot in his later work, where branding and atmosphere were just as important as the drinks.
After college, he worked in commercial real estate in New York City with the firm Edward S. Gordon. This job taught him how property and space create value. He soon applied that lesson to an industry he understood from his time in fashion and entertainment circles: nightlife.
From Real Estate to Nightlife: The Gerber Group Story
In 1991, Rande Gerber launched his first major project at the Paramount Hotel in Manhattan. Hotelier Ian Schrager became an early client, and the bar there, The Whiskey, proved that hotel bar space could become a destination.
That success led to the creation of the Gerber Group, which he ran with his brothers. The company went on to design and operate lounges, bars, and restaurants inside hotels worldwide. Some of his best-known venues include:
- The Whiskey – the original Paramount Hotel bar that started it all
- Whiskey Blue – a lounge brand that expanded to several cities
- SkyBar – a rooftop concept known for its celebrity crowd
- Stone Rose – a cocktail lounge concept
His formula was simple but new at the time. He focused on lighting, music, design, and a sense of exclusivity. Guests felt they were in a private club rather than a hotel lobby.
This work made him a respected hospitality figure. It also gave him close ties to Hollywood, which later helped him meet his wife and build lifelong friendships with stars like George Clooney.
Casamigos Tequila and the Diageo Deal
Casamigos began as a private project between Rande Gerber and George Clooney. The two friends and neighbors in Mexico wanted a smooth tequila they could sip neat, without salt or lime. Real estate developer Mike Meldman joined them as a co-founder.
The name Casamigos means “house of friends,” a nod to their Cabo homes where the idea started. They worked with a distillery for years to get the taste right. The brand launched publicly in 2013 and grew quickly through word of mouth and celebrity buzz.
In 2017, spirits giant Diageo bought the brand. The deal was structured like this:
| Deal Element | Amount |
|---|---|
| Upfront Payment | $700 million |
| Performance Earnouts | Up to $300 million |
| Total Potential Value | Up to $1 billion |
| Time From Launch to Sale | About 4 years |
The earnouts were tied to sales milestones over the following 10 years. This kind of structure is common in big brand sales, and it shows how much faith Diageo had in the brand’s growth.
Gerber stayed involved with the brand after the sale. He has also been linked with other ventures, including reportedly being part of an investor group behind the classic Beverly Hills deli Nate ‘n Al. For anyone studying celebrity brands, Casamigos remains the case everyone points to.
Rande Gerber Net Worth
Rande Gerber’s net worth is estimated at around $400 million. Estimates vary between reports, but most agree the Casamigos sale is the main source of his wealth.
His earnings come from three main areas: decades of nightlife income through the Gerber Group, his share of the Diageo deal, and real estate. The couple have bought and sold several homes over the years, including a Beverly Hills house reportedly sold for about $13.5 million.
Cindy Crawford has her own fortune, with her net worth often estimated at about $100 million. Together, their combined net worth places them among the wealthiest couples in fashion and entertainment.
What stands out to me is how much of his wealth came later in life. He was already successful in his 40s, but the tequila deal came in his mid-50s, which is a good reminder that big business wins don’t always come early.
Rande Gerber Wife: Marriage to Cindy Crawford
Rande Gerber’s wife is supermodel Cindy Crawford. The two had known each other for years through friends before they started dating. Crawford was married to actor Richard Gere until their 1995 divorce.
Their connection grew in the mid-1990s, and they became a steady couple soon after. They kept their relationship mostly out of the spotlight, which was unusual for someone as famous as Crawford.
They married on May 29, 1998, at the Ocean Club on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. It was a small beach wedding with a limited guest list, matching their private style.
They have now been married for more than 28 years. In an industry where marriages often end quickly, their long partnership is one reason fans remain interested in their story.
Rande Gerber’s Children: Presley and Kaia
Rande and Cindy have two children, and both followed their mother into modeling.
| Child | Born | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Presley Gerber | July 2, 1999 | Model for Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana |
| Kaia Gerber | September 3, 2001 | Model and actress |
Presley was the older child and their only son. He made his runway debut as a teenager and later worked with major brands. In 2018, he and his mother recreated Cindy’s famous Pepsi ad for a Super Bowl LII commercial.
Kaia became one of the most in-demand models of her generation. She later moved into acting as well. The siblings were close, and fans often saw them together at fashion events.
Rande Gerber Son: What Happened to Presley Gerber
Presley Gerber died on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at a rehab facility in the Los Angeles area. He was 27. A family representative, Allie Jenkins, confirmed the death and asked for privacy for the family.
According to reports, emergency services were called that morning after Presley was found unresponsive, and paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. Santa Monica police said they were investigating the death as a suspected overdose, with no sign of foul play.
The LA County Medical Examiner records listed the cause of death as deferred. This means the official cause and manner of death would only be confirmed after an autopsy and toxicology tests.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 20, 2026 | Presley found unresponsive at the facility and pronounced dead |
| September 20, 2026 | Family representative confirms the death |
| September 21, 2026 | Autopsy scheduled; cause listed as deferred |
| October 18, 2026 | Family releases a public statement |
Presley had spoken openly for years about his mental health, depression, and substance use. After a 2019 DUI arrest, he became more public about his treatment. He said he hoped sharing his story could help others in a similar place.
A Father’s Bond With Presley
Rande Gerber was known as a hands-on, protective dad. Presley often praised him publicly, and the two shared a close relationship that fans saw through birthday notes and family posts.
On Presley’s 21st birthday in 2020, Rande shared a loving message praising his son’s courage. That word came up often in how the family described Presley’s efforts to face his struggles.
George Clooney was also part of Presley’s life, and the kids reportedly called him “Uncle George.” Reports suggest Clooney spent time advising Presley during his hardest periods, a sign of how deeply the two families are connected.
How the Family Has Handled the Loss
In the weeks after Presley’s death, close friends formed a strong support network around the family. George and Amal Clooney reportedly traveled to Los Angeles to be with them, with an insider describing friends taking shifts so the family was never alone.
Rande and Cindy were seen in public only a few times. About three weeks after the loss, they were photographed on a quiet walk near Zuma Beach in Malibu. They kept their heads down, wore caps and dark sunglasses, and held hands.
On October 18, the family broke their silence with an Instagram post. They shared a black-and-white photo of Presley taken by photographer Sebastian Faena. They described him as their beloved son and brother and said they were beyond heartbroken. The post was signed by Mom, Dad, and Kaia.
Kaia had spoken about her brother’s struggles before his death. In a Vogue interview, she shared how addiction affects a whole family. After the loss, she has also been seen leaning on loved ones as she grieves.
In my view, the family’s choice to stay private while still honoring Presley shows real dignity. They have not turned their grief into a media event, and that matters for a story this personal.
The Rande Gerber and George Clooney Friendship
Rande Gerber and George Clooney have been close friends for decades. Their bond goes well beyond business, and it has shaped many key moments in both their lives.
The $1 Million Gift to “The Boys”
In September 2013, Clooney invited 14 close friends, a group he calls “The Boys,” to dinner. Each guest found a luggage bag holding $1 million in cash.
Rande Gerber was one of them. He has said he tried to refuse the money because he did not need it. Clooney’s wish was to thank the friends who helped him in his early years before he was famous.
The story became public in 2017, when Gerber shared it in an interview. It quickly went viral and is now one of the best-known stories about celebrity friendship.
Neighbors in Los Cabos and Best Man in 2014
Gerber and Clooney built neighboring homes in Los Cabos, Mexico. The villas sit next to each other, and Rande has said he helped design the home. Those Cabo homes are also where the idea for Casamigos was born.
When Clooney married Amal Alamuddin in Venice in 2014, Rande Gerber was his best man. It confirmed how central he is in Clooney’s life.
The friendship has only grown stronger through hard times. The Clooneys’ presence after Presley’s death shows that their bond is about loyalty, not just fame or money.
FAQs
Who is Randy Gerber?
Randy Gerber, correctly spelled Rande Gerber, is an American businessman and former model. He founded the Gerber Group nightlife company and co-founded Casamigos tequila with George Clooney. He is married to supermodel Cindy Crawford.
How old is Rande Gerber?
Rande Gerber was born on April 27, 1962. That makes him 64 years old in 2026. His zodiac sign is Taurus.
How much did Casamigos sell for?
Diageo bought Casamigos in 2017 for $700 million upfront. The deal included up to $300 million more based on sales targets. In total, it could reach $1 billion.
How many children does Rande Gerber have?
Rande Gerber has two children with Cindy Crawford: Presley and Kaia. Presley, his only son, died in September 2026 at age 27. Kaia is a model and actress.
How long have Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford been married?
The couple married on May 29, 1998, in the Bahamas. As of 2026, they have been married for more than 28 years. They are one of the most stable couples in fashion and entertainment.
What was Presley Gerber’s cause of death?
The official cause of death had not been listed at first and was marked as deferred pending an autopsy. Police investigated the case as a suspected overdose. Presley had been open about his mental health and substance use struggles.
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