Celebrities Who Lost Their Children to Addiction

Anna Nicole Smith lost her son

Daniel Wayne Smith, son of former model Anna Nicole Smith, died in 2006 at the age of 20 in a hospital in the Bahamas, shortly after his mother had given birth to his little sister there. Investigators determined that his death was caused by a fatal interaction between several prescription medications. The sudden loss shook the family at an already fragile time and kept the international press occupied for years. Anna Nicole Smith herself passed away just a few months later, making the case one of Hollywood’s most well-known family tragedies to this day.

Dr. Dre lost his son, Andre Young Jr.

Andre Young Jr., son of music producer Dr. Dre, died in 2008 at the age of 20 from a heroin and morphine overdose. By that time, his father had long been regarded as a defining figure in West Coast rap. Dr. Dre rarely spoke publicly about the loss of his son.

Lisa Marie Presley: The Loss of Her Son Benjamin Keough

Benjamin Keough, son of Lisa Marie Presley and grandson of Elvis Presley, died in 2020 at the age of 27; he took his own life. In the years that followed, his mother spoke repeatedly about a pain that never left her. Lisa Marie Presley herself passed away in 2023, leaving fans to grieve the loss of two family members within just a few years.

Robert De Niro

In 2023, Robert De Niro lost his grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, who died after taking fentanyl. The young actor had just begun his artistic career when his life came to a sudden end. At the time, his mother spoke publicly about the pain of her loss and asked for privacy for the family.

Robert De Niro lost his grandson

In a statement in 2023, Robert De Niro described the death of his grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, as deeply shocking. A few weeks after his passing, a memorial service in New York honored the young actor’s short life.

Whitney Houston and Bobbi Kristina Brown

Whitney Houston (d. 2012) lost her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, in 2015—but she was no longer alive to see it. Like her famous mother, Bobbi Kristina had struggled with addiction for many years. She was only 22 years old.

Presley Gerber

Presley Gerber, the son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, spoke openly in December 2025 in an Instagram video—which was later deleted—about medications such as Xanax, Valium, and buprenorphine, as well as his journey to recovery. The public took note of his messages about setbacks and progress in his recovery. A few months later, the tide would turn once again.

Cindy Crawford lost her son Presley

Cindy Crawford lost her son, Presley Gerber, on September 20, 2026, at the age of 27; he died at a rehabilitation facility. Police were investigating a possible overdose; as of September 25, 2026, no final toxicology results were available. Just a few months earlier, Presley Gerber had spoken publicly about his recovery, which made his sudden loss particularly difficult for fans to comprehend. In their initial responses, Cindy Crawford and her family asked for privacy.

Time and again, celebrity parents have faced the devastating loss of a child following struggles with addiction. Behind the glamour and public attention, these families have also experienced deeply personal tragedies. The following overview looks back at well-known cases spanning several decades and honors the lives of those who passed away.

Celebrities Who Have Lost Their Children After Struggles With Addiction

From Anna Nicole Smith’s son Daniel Smith, who died in 2006, to Dr. Dre’s son Andre Young Jr., who died in 2008, and Lisa Marie Presley’s son Benjamin Keough, who died in 2020, these stories highlight the personal tragedies experienced by families in the public eye.

Robert De Niro and his daughter Drena De Niro also faced the death of young Leandro De Niro Rodriguez in 2023.

In September 2026, the death of Cindy Crawford’s son, Presley Gerber, also brought renewed attention to the devastating impact of addiction on families.