Cindy Crawford's Academic Excellence and Modeling Destiny
Cindy Crawford, the iconic supermodel now aged 59, grew up in Illinois as an exceptional student, achieving straight-A grades throughout her schooling. In 1984, she earned the prestigious title of valedictorian at DeKalb High School, showcasing her intellectual prowess from a young age. Her academic success was further recognized with a scholarship to study computer engineering at Northwestern University, a testament to her capabilities in STEM fields.
Dropping Out for Supermodel Stardom
Despite this promising academic trajectory, Crawford made the bold decision to leave university early to pursue her destiny as a supermodel. This choice, however, came with significant judgment from outsiders who immediately assumed she lacked intelligence. "People immediately treated me like I was dumb," Crawford revealed in a recent interview with OK! Magazine. "I wasn't." She emphasized that this perception was more reflective of societal biases than her actual abilities.
Early Ambitions and Academic Involvement
Crawford's childhood aspirations were far removed from the fashion world. "Growing up, I wanted to be the first woman president of the United States," she shared. "Then I wanted to be a doctor or maybe a teacher. Even now I could imagine myself in a job like that. I loved school." Her academic involvement was extensive, as highlighted in an episode of MTV's House of Style where she reviewed her high school yearbook. The pages documented her participation in the math team, recognition as an Illinois State Scholar, membership in the National Honor Society, and active role on the student council.
With sarcastic humor, Crawford recalled, "This is my modeling in my high school yearbook. Flashdance inspired all the way." This juxtaposition of her academic achievements with her later career underscores the complexity of her path.
Navigating Stereotypes and Finding Voice
When faced with skepticism about her modeling career, Crawford coped by maintaining self-awareness. "By knowing myself and understanding that it was more a reflection on those people than it was on me," she explained. She noted the pervasive assumption in her era that models were unintelligent, stating, "Back in my day, there was this terrible assumption that if you were a model, you were dumb."
However, Crawford pointed out that the landscape has evolved. "Models now have a voice in a way we really didn't back then," she said. "Social media has given models the opportunity to show who they are as a person and that they're not just a magazine cover." This shift has allowed for greater authenticity and dismantling of stereotypes.
Embracing Age and Family Life
As Crawford approaches her 60th birthday, she is ready to embrace this milestone. "Everyone feels a little bit insecure. We still live in a very ageist world, which is hard, but at the same time we tend to be so self-critical too," she reflected. "I don't know why that is but you have to push past that, no matter what age you are. You just have to embrace it, be yourself and also let other people be themselves. We all need to be less critical."
Her personal life is flourishing after decades of busy schedules with her second husband, Rande Gerber, co-founder of Casamigos. The couple has been married for an impressive 27 years. Crawford expressed, "I'm loving life with my husband and enjoying having adult children." Their daughter, Kaia Gerber, 24, has followed in her mother's modeling footsteps and also stars in the Apple TV+ series Palm Royale. Their son, Presley Gerber, 26, hosts "Mental Health Mondays," where he openly discusses his treatments for depression and insomnia, including medications like Buprenorphine and Xanax, emphasizing the importance of mental health care.
