The story behind Cindy Crawford's son Presley Gerber's ‘Misunderstood’ face tattoo and ‘Kaia XXIII’ tribute as the young model dies at 27

Tattoos can become deeply personal expressions of identity, relationships and experiences. For Presley Gerber, son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, some of his most recognisable tattoos carried stories connected to how he saw himself and his family. Gerber died at 27 on Sunday with his death confirmed by a family representative. His tattoos, including a controversial face tattoo and a tribute to sister Kaia Gerber, had previously drawn public attention.

Presley Gerber dies at 27

According to AP, Presley Gerber died on Sunday at the age of 27. He was the son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, who married in 1998, and the older brother of model and actress Kaia Gerber. AP reported that Gerber died at a rehabilitation facility, citing online records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. His death was confirmed by Allie Jenkins, a representative for Crawford and Rande Gerber. Jenkins said in an email that the family was asking for privacy during what she described as a “very difficult and painful time.”

Gerber had followed his mother's footsteps into modelling and had also been known for his close bond with his younger sister, Kaia.

The tattoo dedicated to sister Kaia

Presley and Kaia Gerber had previously expressed their close sibling relationship through tattoos. According to People, Presley had “Kaia XXIII” tattooed on his left tricep as a tribute to his sister. The tattoo was one of several pieces of body art that reflected his personal relationships and identity. It has previously reported that the siblings share a close bond and had tattoos connected to each other. Presley’s tattoo reads “Kaia XXIII”, while Kaia has “Prez” tattooed on her shoulder, reported Grazia.

Why Presley Gerber got ‘MISUNDERSTOOD’ tattooed on his face

One of Gerber's most talked-about tattoos was the word “MISUNDERSTOOD”, which he had inked on his cheek in 2020. The face tattoo quickly became a defining part of his public image and attracted considerable attention because of its prominent placement. As reported by Page Six, Gerber explained during an Instagram Live that the tattoo reflected how he had felt throughout his life. He said it was there because he had felt “misunderstood” for much of his life.

The tattoo later disappeared from his face. People reported that in August 2021, Gerber was photographed in Malibu without the “MISUNDERSTOOD” tattoo visible, suggesting that he had the cheek tattoo removed.

Gerber had several other tattoos

The “MISUNDERSTOOD” tattoo was only one part of Gerber's extensive collection of body art. He also had cannabis leaves inked on his hand, along with a barbed wire design. A gun tattoo near his hip was another piece of body art that had been reported. While some of his tattoos attracted attention because of their appearance, others offered a more personal glimpse into his relationships and how he viewed himself.

His “Kaia XXIII” tattoo, in particular, reflected his bond with his sister, while the “MISUNDERSTOOD” tattoo became associated with the way he described his own experiences.

A model and older brother to Kaia

Gerber was also known for his modelling career. He began modelling at 15 and later worked on campaigns and runway shows, following the fashion path established by his mother, Cindy Crawford. His sister Kaia also built a career in modelling before expanding into acting. Presley's death at 27 was confirmed by the family through Allie Jenkins, while his family has asked for privacy following his death.