Long before Presley Gerber’s death at 27, he had already imagined what he wanted his future to look like. In an interview with Vogue France as a teenager, Presley spoke openly about his early goals in modeling. Rather than focusing only on fame or major campaigns, he said he wanted to have fun, travel, meet creative people, and learn more about photography. When asked where he saw himself ten years later, Presley pictured himself living in New York and owning his own bar or club, following his father Rande Gerber into the hospitality business. Yet his biggest dream was simpler: he wanted a job he genuinely enjoyed so that going to work would never feel like a burden. His career eventually took him onto major runways, including Moschino and Dolce & Gabbana, but his interests later expanded beyond fashion. He explored real estate and developed ideas for a mental-health project called “Mental Health Mondays,” hoping to use his experiences to help others.

Presley’s later years were also marked by personal struggles that he increasingly discussed publicly. He faced a DUI arrest in 2019 and later became open about treatment, addiction, and mental health. In 2020, he drew widespread attention after getting the word “MISUNDERSTOOD” tattooed across his cheek, later explaining his frustration with the criticism surrounding his appearance. By 2023, he was describing mental health as an ongoing part of his life and wanted to share lessons from his own experiences. His sister Kaia Gerber later spoke about his decade-long struggle with drug addiction and said she was deeply proud of his willingness to be open. Presley’s final years therefore reflected a life that moved far beyond the youthful plans he once described. He died on September 20, 2026, at age 27. At the time of reporting, his cause of death had not been determined, with the medical examiner’s case remaining open.