The Superstar Among Supermodels - Cindy Crawford at 60: How a supermodel built a $400M empire beyond the runway
Cindy Crawford turns 60 on 20 February, marking six decades for one of the most recognisable faces in fashion. Rising to fame in the mid-1980s, she became a defining supermodel of her era. Even after retiring from full-time modelling in 2000, she has stayed active in business and ulta beauty.
Born into a working-class family in DeKalb, Illinois, Crawford's early life was shaped by hardship. Her father worked as an electrician, while her mother was a bank employee. At age ten, she lost her three-year-old brother Jeffrey to leukaemia—a tragedy that later inspired her advocacy work.
Her modelling career began in the 1980s, and she quickly became one of the most sought-after supermodels. After stepping back from full-time modelling in 2000, she channeled her earnings into entrepreneurship. In 2002, she launched a perfume line, followed by Meaningful Beauty in 2005, a skincare brand developed with dermatologist Jean-Louis Sebagh.
Her business ventures expanded further. A furniture collection, Cindy Crawford Home, hit the market, along with a shoe line for Deichmann in 2009. Through her production company, Crawdaddy Inc., she released fitness videos starting in 1992. In 2019, she and her husband, Rande Gerber, co-acquired the iconic Nate 'n Al deli.
Open about her use of cosmetic treatments, Crawford has spoken publicly about Botox and vitamin injections. Beyond business, she has donated generously to leukaemia research, driven by her brother's memory.
She has two children with Gerber: son Presley, born in 1999, and daughter Kaia Jordan, born in 2001. Both have followed her into modelling, continuing the family's connection to the industry.
Crawford's net worth is estimated at up to $400 million, entirely self-made. From modelling to business, she has remained a prominent figure long after her runway days. Her influence spans fashion, sally beauty, and philanthropy, with no signs of slowing down.
