Richard Gere’s Marriage to Cindy Crawford: A Relationship That Started with an Ultimatum

In the realm of celebrity romances from the 1990s, only a few have stood the test of time.

Names like Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder, Brad Pitt and Gwyneth Paltrow, and Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise instantly come to mind.

Among these iconic pairs were Richard Gere and supermodel Cindy Crawford, whose high-profile relationship captivated the public eye.

The duo exchanged vows in 1991 after a period of public courtship, but their union, which ended in 1995, faced challenges from the beginning.

Gere, known for his aversion to commitment, surprised many in Hollywood by settling down with the younger model.

Years later, the American Gigolo star confessed that he only married Crawford in response to an ultimatum she presented.

Let's delve into the details of their love story and their reflections on it through the years.

Richard Gere emerged as a s=x symbol during the 1980s, starting with his breakthrough role in the 1980 film “American Gigolo.”

Subsequent performances in “An Officer and a Gentleman” (1982) alongside Debra Winger and Francis Ford Coppola's “The Cotton Club” (1984) solidified his reputation as a leading man.

The romantic comedy “Pretty Woman” in the early '90s, where he starred opposite Julia Roberts, further solidified his status as a heartthrob.

In the '90s, Cindy Crawford rode the wave of the supermodel phenomenon.

Her prominence soared after a January 1990 British Vogue cover featuring her alongside Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Tatjana Patitz, and Naomi Campbell dubbed them the “supermodels” of the era.

Crawford had been active in the modeling scene since 1987, but it was this particular cover that elevated her and her peers to fashion icon status.

Gere and Crawford formed one of the most glamorous couples in the entertainment industry.

Their romance blossomed after meeting at a barbecue hosted by photographer Herb Ritts in 1988.

As they took their relationship public, the media frenzy surrounding them catapulted the couple to magazine covers and television features.

Their appearance together at the Academy Awards post-“Pretty Woman” in 1991, with Crawford stunning in a red Versace dress, caused quite a stir.

By the year's end, the couple made their union official through marriage, without the typical prelude of an engagement.

Contrary to romantic assumptions about their impulsive decision to wed, both stars have shed light on the pragmatic reality behind it.

At 42, Gere was significantly older than the 25-year-old Crawford.

While the model envisioned marriage and children, the actor, with a history of resisting commitment, found himself at a crossroads.

Gere disclosed that Crawford issued an ultimatum, expressing her readiness to move on if he didn't commit.

Similarly, Crawford recounted how she confronted Gere about their future during an event, prompting a spur-of-the-moment Vegas wedding, complete with makeshift tinfoil rings and minimal guests.

Their marriage, however, failed to address deeper issues within their relationship.

While Crawford expressed her desire for motherhood, Gere seemed less enthusiastic about expanding their family.

Speculations in tabloids suggested their marriage was a facade, fueling rumors about their s–ual orientations.

In response, the couple took a bold step by placing a full-page ad in The Times of London to assert the authenticity of their marriage and heterosexuality.

Despite their efforts, the marriage unraveled, leading to separation in late 1994 and eventual divorce by early 1995.

Reflecting on their brief union, Crawford attributed its demise to the significant age gap between them.

She acknowledged her youth at the time, still in the process of self-discovery, while Gere, over a decade her senior, was more established in his identity.

The model revealed that, despite an amicable relationship with Gere post-divorce, there exists a sense of detachment, evoking feelings of estrangement.

Crawford mused about the lack of friendship in their past dynamic, suggesting that perhaps their connection never transcended beyond other roles they played in each other's lives.