Rande Gerber is an American businessman who spent three decades shaping how people drink, from candlelit hotel bars in Manhattan to the tequila that George Clooney helped make famous. Many people know him first as Cindy Crawford’s husband, but his story is really about a quiet entrepreneur with a sharp eye for detail. In 2026, he is also a grieving father after the loss of his only son, Presley Gerber.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rande Gerber |
| Nickname/Stage Name | Often spelled “Randy Gerber,” a common misspelling; he pronounces his name “Randy” |
| Date of Birth | April 27, 1962 |
| Place of Birth | Long Island, New York, USA |
| Age | 64 (as of 2026) |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Ethnicity | Jewish, with Russian, Polish and Algerian-Jewish roots |
| Profession/Occupation | Businessman, nightlife entrepreneur, spirits co-founder, former model |
| Years Active | 1980s–present |
| Education | George W. Hewlett High School (1980); University of Arizona (marketing degree) |
| Genre/Field | Hospitality, nightlife, spirits |
| Spouse/Partner | Cindy Crawford (married May 29, 1998) |
| Children | Presley Gerber (1999–2026), Kaia Gerber (born 2001) |
| Parents | Jordan Gerber, Ellen Peckman |
| Siblings | Scott Gerber, Kenny Gerber |
| Net Worth | About $400 million (estimated) |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Notable Works | The Whiskey, SkyBar, Whiskey Blue, Gerber Group, Casamigos Tequila, Caliche Rum |
| Social Media |
Who Is Rande Gerber?
Rande Gerber is the co-founder of Casamigos Tequila and the founder of Gerber Group, the company that turned hotel bars into stylish destinations. He built Casamigos with George Clooney and real estate developer Mike Meldman, then sold it to spirits giant Diageo in one of the biggest celebrity spirits deals ever made.
Before tequila, he was a hospitality entrepreneur who opened bars and lounges inside upscale hotels across America and later worldwide. His concepts drew celebrities, models and locals alike, which was rare at the time. That mix became his signature.
What stands out to me, after following many celebrity business stories, is how low a profile he keeps. His Instagram bio is short, he rarely gives long interviews, and he lets his ventures do the talking. That quiet approach is a big reason his name carries weight in business circles rather than gossip columns.
Today, he is known for two big chapters: nightlife, then spirits. His newer projects include Caliche Rum and the non-alcoholic beer brand Crazy Mountain. He is also the father of Presley Gerber and model Kaia Gerber.
Early Life, Education and Modeling Career
Rande Gerber was born on April 27, 1962, on Long Island, New York, into a middle-class Jewish family. His parents, Jordan Gerber and Ellen Peckman, raised him on the South Shore, close enough to Manhattan that city nightlife was always within reach.
He attended George W. Hewlett High School in Hewlett and graduated in 1980. He then moved west to study marketing at the University of Arizona. That marketing degree later shaped how he thought about branding, atmosphere and value in every bar he opened.
Modeling came early. He was reportedly scouted at 16 while walking in Manhattan and later signed with Ford Models. During the 1980s, he appeared in campaigns for brands like Benetton and Sassoon, giving him an inside view of fashion and pop culture.
After his modeling years, he took a job in commercial real estate at Edward S. Gordon in New York City. Selling property taught him how space creates value. One of his real estate clients connections led him to Ian Schrager, the Studio 54 co-founder, and that meeting opened his entry into nightlife.
From Real Estate to Nightlife: The Gerber Group Story
Rande Gerber’s nightlife career began in 1991 when Ian Schrager invited him to become the bar tenant at the Paramount Hotel in New York’s theater district. The space was only about 1,000 sq ft, but Gerber turned it into The Whiskey, a cozy bar with deep couches, candlelight and good lighting.
His idea was simple. At the time, the city had stiff hotel bars, dives and big clubs, with little in between. Gerber wanted a place that felt like a living room in a stylish apartment, with great drinks, a strong playlist and no velvet-rope attitude. The relaxed feel caught on fast with a celebrity crowd.
He formed Gerber Group with his brothers Scott and Kenny, and the company grew quickly. By the late 1990s, Starwood brought him in to create bars for its new W Hotels, which became the Whiskey Blue lounge brand. Many in the industry started calling him the godfather of the modern hotel bar.
SkyBar and the Global Expansion
The most famous Gerber concept outside New York was SkyBar at the Mondrian in Los Angeles, designed with Philippe Starck. Its open-air rooftop concept became a Hollywood hotspot and proved the hotel lobby could become a real destination.
Gerber Group eventually grew to 30-plus venues in cities including Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, Las Vegas and NYC. It also reached beyond the US to Mexico City, Madrid and Santiago with bar concepts such as Whiskey Park, Stone Rose, Midnight Rose and The Penthouse.
| Venue | Location | What Made It Stand Out |
|---|---|---|
| The Whiskey | Paramount Hotel, NYC | First hotel cocktail lounge with a living-room feel |
| Whiskey Blue | W Hotels, multiple cities | Signature lounge brand for Starwood |
| SkyBar | Mondrian, Los Angeles | Rooftop concept with a Hollywood crowd |
| Whiskey Park | New York | Upscale lounge near Central Park |
| Stone Rose / Midnight Rose | Various | Design-led cocktail lounges |
Leaving Gerber Group and Moving Into Spirits
By the end of the 2000s, Rande Gerber had stepped back from daily operations at Gerber Group. His brother Scott took a larger role, while Rande turned his attention to spirits, an area where his brand-building experience could work at a bigger scale.
In 2012, he launched Caliche Rum, a premium white rum made in Puerto Rico. He partnered with Roberto Serrallés of Destilería Serrallés, one of the island’s oldest rum makers, who handled production. Gerber focused on development, sales and distribution through Gerber Spirits.
Caliche taught him the logistics side of the liquor industry. Running bars shows you what guests drink; launching a bottle shows you how hard it is to get on shelves. Those lessons fed directly into Casamigos.
Casamigos Tequila and the Diageo Deal
Casamigos started as a private project, not a business plan. Rande Gerber and George Clooney had neighboring homes in Mexico and wanted their own house tequila to share with friends and guests. The name comes from “casa de amigos,” meaning “house of friends.”
How Casamigos Started
The two worked with a distillery in Mexico for about four years to get the taste right. They wanted a smooth, sippable tequila made from 100% pure blue Weber agave, with nothing added, slow old-fashioned cooking and no pesticides in the agave fields. Gerber has said they wanted something you could sip neat or on the rocks without salt and lime, with less hangover.
Mike Meldman, a real estate developer who built homes in Cabo, joined as the third equal partner. Each reportedly put in around $600,000 early on. When the distillery told them they were ordering too much for personal use and needed licenses, they decided to go commercial and launched in 2013.
Growth came mostly by word of mouth and celebrity buzz, without big outside money. By 2016, Casamigos sold about 120,000 nine-liter cases and was projected to pass 170,000, making it one of the fastest-growing premium tequilas in America.
The Billion-Dollar Sale
In June 2017, Diageo announced a deal to buy Casamigos, and it closed in August 2017. The partners reportedly signed paperwork at Nate ‘n Al, the Beverly Hills deli. Gerber stayed on to promote and guide the brand.
| Deal Element | Amount |
|---|---|
| Upfront payment | $700 million |
| Performance earnouts (sales milestones over 10 years) | Up to $300 million |
| Total potential value | Up to $1 billion |
| Each partner’s reported upfront share | About $233 million pre-tax |
The deal changed how big spirits companies looked at celebrity brands. Many copycat tequilas followed, but few have matched Casamigos’ growth, which still owes a lot to Gerber’s eye for product and image.
Other Business Ventures
After the sale, Rande Gerber stayed busy with smaller, more personal projects. In January 2019, he joined an investor group with Mike Meldman, Jay Sures, Jeff Shell and George Clooney to buy Nate ‘n Al deli in Beverly Hills, operating since 1945, keeping a beloved local spot alive.
He also co-founded Crazy Mountain, a premium non-alcoholic lager-style brew, reflecting his own push to drink healthier. He has said his personal social habits shifted, and he wanted a beer he would actually enjoy without alcohol.
Other ventures include an investment in Hampton Sun, a luxury suncare brand born in Miami and the Hamptons. Reports also point to Casamigas, a jalapeño tequila extension under Gerber Spirits, with Cindy on the label as part of a family-centered rebrand.
Rande Gerber Net Worth
Rande Gerber’s net worth is estimated at about $400 million as of 2026. The main source is the Casamigos sale, where his upfront share alone was reportedly around $233 million before taxes, plus earnout payments tied to sales targets.
His earlier nightlife income from Gerber Group built a strong base in his 40s, long before the tequila deal. Real estate has added more wealth over the years, with homes in Malibu, Beverly Hills, Mexico and Miami Beach bought and sold at a profit.
Cindy Crawford’s own fortune, built through fashion, beauty and entertainment, is often estimated around $100 million. Together, they rank among the wealthiest couples in Hollywood, though Gerber’s earnings dwarf hers since the Diageo deal.
Rande Gerber Real Estate and Homes
Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford have built an impressive real estate portfolio, often buying homes that need work, improving them, and selling later. Their main residence today is in Malibu, California, where they live on the oceanfront.
| Property | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Malibu oceanfront home | Malibu, California | Main family residence |
| Midcentury home | Trousdale Estates, Beverly Hills | Longtime family home, later sold |
| Waterfront midcentury home | Miami Beach, Florida | Rented and sold for a profit |
| La Quinta vacation home | La Quinta, California | Desert getaway |
| Lake retreat | Ontario, Canada | A 23-acre former children’s camp |
| Cabo home | Los Cabos, Mexico | Next to George Clooney’s home |
The Cabo home holds the most meaning for the family because Casamigos was born there. The Canadian lake retreat, meanwhile, shows their taste for privacy away from Los Angeles, with more than 100 ft of water frontage for summer family time.
Rande Gerber Wife: Marriage to Cindy Crawford
Rande Gerber has been married to supermodel Cindy Crawford since May 29, 1998, making 2026 their 28th year together. In Hollywood, that kind of long partnership is rare, and it has made them one of the most stable couples in entertainment.
They first knew each other in the early 1990s as friends. After Crawford’s 1995 divorce from Richard Gere, they reconnected, began dating, and went public in 1997. Crawford has often said their friendship came first, which made the relationship feel steady from the start.
The wedding reflected their private style. They married in a small beach ceremony at the Ocean Club on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Crawford, then 32, wore an off-the-rack white lace John Galliano minidress and went barefoot. Gerber was 36. Guests later jumped into the pool to celebrate.
When asked about their secret, both point to simple habits: they respect each other’s opinions, make time for each other and laugh together. Gerber also stays out of the spotlight, letting Crawford remain the public face of the family.
Rande Gerber’s Children: Presley and Kaia
Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford have two children: son Presley Walker Gerber, born July 2, 1999, and daughter Kaia Jordan Gerber, born September 3, 2001. They raised both in a close-knit family in Malibu, with lots of travel, paddleboarding and dirt biking.
Presley, the older child, was signed by IMG and started modeling as a teenager. He made his runway debut for Moschino at 16, later walking for Dolce & Gabbana in Milan and appearing in campaigns for Calvin Klein, Burberry and Ralph Lauren. In 2018, he starred with his mom in a Pepsi Super Bowl LII commercial.
Kaia became one of the most in-demand models of her generation. She landed campaigns as a child, made her runway debut in 2017, and has since worked with Omega and Calvin Klein while moving into acting. She is now known as both a model and actress.
Presley also explored life outside fashion, working as an investor and entrepreneur and appearing in a Vuori clothing campaign. Both kids grew up around major brands, but Gerber has said family time always came before 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. Emergency services responded to a 911 call that morning, and he was pronounced dead after paramedics found him unresponsive.
Police are investigating the death as a suspected overdose, with no sign of foul play. The LA County Medical Examiner deferred the official cause of death pending toxicology tests, so the cause and manner of death have not been formally confirmed.
Family representative Allie Jenkins confirmed the news the same night and asked for privacy during a very painful time. Presley had spoken openly in recent years about depression, mental health treatment and substance use, which is why many saw his death as a reminder of how serious addiction can be.
His past headlines included a 2019 DUI arrest, but those close to the family say he had been working hard on his recovery. Reports at the time of his death said he was living in a sober-living setting while continuing treatment.
A Father’s Bond With Presley
Rande Gerber was a hands-on, protective dad. Public moments between them show a warm bond, from family posts to birthday notes. For Presley’s 21st birthday in 2020, the family kept it simple with an IHOP breakfast, a sign of how they valued time over material gifts.
During Presley’s hardest periods, Gerber stayed close, advising him and leaving supportive comments on his posts. Presley, in turn, said his calm outlook came from his dad. In March 2026, Presley spoke about an ibogaine treatment in Mexico as part of finding his way back.
In May 2026, a loving message from Gerber ended with the words “I love you forever Prez.” After his son’s death, many people shared that post as a picture of a father who never gave up. George Clooney, known to the kids as “Uncle George,” was also a steady figure for Presley.
How the Family Has Handled the Loss
The family has grieved mostly in private. In the weeks after Presley’s death, Rande, Cindy and Kaia were seen on a quiet walk at Zuma Beach in Malibu, wearing dark sunglasses and caps, holding hands with heads down.
On October 18, the family broke their silence with an Instagram post and a black-and-white photo of Presley. They described themselves as beyond heartbroken and called him a beloved son and brother, signing it from Mom, Dad and Kaia.
Close friends have formed a strong support network, reportedly taking shifts so the family is never alone. George and Amal Clooney have been among the most present. The family has chosen dignity over a media event, honoring Presley without turning their grief into headlines.
The Rande Gerber and George Clooney Friendship
Rande Gerber and George Clooney have been close friends for more than 20 years. Their bond started through Cindy and grew over shared dinners, travel and a love of a good drink. Few Hollywood friendships have lasted through as much fame, money and hard times.
Their friendship shaped both men’s lives. They built homes next to each other in Mexico, created Casamigos together, and stood beside each other during key moments, including Presley’s death in 2026.
The $1 Million Gift to “The Boys”
In September 2013, Clooney invited 14 close friends, known as “The Boys,” to dinner. Each found a luggage bag filled with $1 million in cash. It was his way to thank friends who helped him in his early years before he became famous.
Gerber shared the story in a 2017 interview, and it went viral. He said he tried to refuse the money because he did not need it, but Clooney insisted that everyone take it or nobody would. Clooney also reportedly covered the taxes.
Neighbors in Los Cabos and Best Man in 2014
The two families have neighboring homes at the El Dorado Golf & Beach Club in Los Cabos, Mexico. Gerber helped design the villas, and the shared patio between them is where the Casamigos name was born.
When Clooney married Amal Alamuddin in Venice in 2014, Gerber served as best man. It was a natural choice. As Clooney has often said, Gerber is the friend he trusts with both his business and his family.
Rande Gerber’s Business Philosophy and Success Formula
Rande Gerber’s biggest strength is that he notices everything. In his bars, he cared about flattering lighting, glassware, the type of ice, candles, scents and even staff uniforms. In my view, this attention to every detail is what separated his lounges from copycats.
He also built a collaborative company culture. Gerber Group offices had no private offices, and he hired young creative people who brought fresh ideas. A ping pong table and pool table were part of the workspace, not a gimmick.
His personal motto, “live while you’re alive,” came partly from the loss of his late father to leukemia. That experience pushed him toward charity, and he regularly supports causes through donations and auctions.
Key principles behind his success:
- Passion first: He only builds what he would use himself.
- Comfort over flash: Guests should feel at home, not judged.
- Work-life balance: Family first, business second.
- Small details, big results: Lighting, sound and service decide a venue’s success.
Lessons From a High-Profile Father
Gerber and Crawford worked hard to keep their kids protected from the constant spotlight in their early years. They limited public appearances and kept family life private, even while living among celebrities like Clooney.
His biggest lesson as a parent is about being present rather than chasing perfection. He has said success means nothing if you miss your kids growing up. His partnerships, both in business and at home, are built on that same idea of showing up.
On social media, he posts sparingly, mostly about family, new ideas and his coastal California style. He has joined select brand campaigns, such as a Range Rover ad and the Vuori clothing campaign, but only those that fit his lifestyle and goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Randy Gerber?
“Randy Gerber” is a common misspelling of Rande Gerber, the American businessman and former model. He pronounces his name “Randy.” He is best known for co-founding Casamigos tequila and building Gerber Group, a nightlife company.
How old is Rande Gerber?
Rande Gerber is 64 years old in 2026. He was born on April 27, 1962, under the Taurus zodiac sign.
How long have Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford been married?
Yes, Rande Gerber is married. He and Cindy Crawford have been husband and wife for 28 years as of 2026, after tying the knot in the Bahamas in 1998.
How much did Casamigos sell for?
Diageo bought Casamigos in 2017 for $700 million upfront, with up to $300 million more tied to sales targets. That put the total potential value of the deal at $1 billion.
How many children does Rande Gerber have?
He has two children with Cindy Crawford. His only son, Presley, died in September 2026 at age 27, and his daughter Kaia is a model and actress.
What was Presley Gerber’s cause of death?
The official cause of death has not been released. The medical examiner deferred it pending autopsy results, while police are treating it as a suspected overdose linked to his long struggle with substance use and mental health.
Where is Rande Gerber from?
Rande Gerber was born on Long Island, New York, in the United States. He grew up in Hewlett before moving to Arizona for college.
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