Post updated: November 9, 2026
Karlie Kloss has walked the world’s biggest runways, fronted major campaigns, and built a life that spans fashion, entrepreneurship, and motherhood. Yet the foundation of it all is her Midwestern parents, Kurt and Tracy Kloss. Their steady, practical support shaped the woman the industry knows today.
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Who Are Karlie Kloss Parents?
Kurt Kloss works as an emergency physician, a role that demands quick decisions and calm under pressure. Tracy Kloss (née Fares) is a freelance art director whose creative eye influenced the household. Together they raised four daughters in a close-knit environment that valued both hard work and family time.
Karlie Elizabeth Kloss was born on August 3, 1992, in Chicago, Illinois. When she was about two, the family moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where she grew up in a big yellow house and attended Webster Groves High School. Ballet training at a local academy gave her the posture and presence that later defined her runway walk. Her parents kept ordinary routines in place even as modeling opportunities appeared early.
Growing Up with Three Sisters in St. Louis
Karlie is one of four girls. She has an older sister, Kristine, and younger twin sisters, Kimberly and Kariann. The shared “K” initials were intentional. In a 2026 interview, Karlie laughed that her parents were “way ahead of the trend,” noting they chose the names long before the Kardashians made alliterative family branding famous. She admitted her grandmother still mixes up the names—an experience she now understands as a mother of three.
Life in St. Louis was typical in many ways:
- Cardinals games and local ice cream spots
- Field trips to the St. Louis Art Museum led by her mother
- Household chores and homework that continued even after modeling began
- A strong emphasis on family meals and shared space
This grounded setting helped Karlie stay connected to everyday life while her career accelerated. Discovery came around age 13 at a local charity fashion show; agents noticed her height, walk, and presence. Her parents treated the sudden attention carefully, bringing in extended family as chaperones so she was never alone on early trips.
The Family’s Big Move and Unwavering Support
By her late teens, Karlie’s schedule made regular time at home nearly impossible. In a family meeting that took place on a king-size bed, the Klosses decided to leave St. Louis after more than 16 years and relocate to Goshen in upstate New York. The move, completed around 2013, kept the family closer while she worked in Manhattan. Kurt and Tracy adjusted their own careers and routines without hesitation.
They also helped manage the practical side of a teenage modeling career—travel, schoolwork, and emotional support. Karlie has repeatedly credited this backing as essential. The household stayed lively with pets and shared activities even after the move, giving her a reliable base between shows and campaigns.
From All-K Names to the Next Generation
The same parents who named four daughters with matching initials now watch Karlie raise her own children with husband Joshua Kushner. The couple welcomed sons Levi Joseph in 2021 and Elijah Jude in 2023, followed by daughter Rae Florence in September 2025. Karlie has noted the everyday mix-ups that come with parenthood and often draws parallels to her own upbringing.
Her father’s medical background and her mother’s creative work continue to influence her interests. She has spoken about growing up in a home where health discussions were practical rather than political, a perspective that informs her advocacy work today. The original family unit remains a quiet but constant presence behind her public life.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Father | Kurt Kloss (Emergency Physician) |
| Mother | Tracy Kloss (née Fares, Freelance Art Director) |
| Karlie’s Birth | August 3, 1992, Chicago, Illinois |
| Siblings | Kristine (older), Kimberly & Kariann (younger twins) |
| Childhood Home | St. Louis, Missouri (moved ~1994) |
| Later Family Move | Goshen, New York (~2013) |
| Ancestry | German, Danish, Polish |
| Karlie’s Children | Levi Joseph (2021), Elijah Jude (2023), Rae Florence (2025) |
Conclusion
Kurt and Tracy Kloss never chased the spotlight, yet their decisions—keeping structure in St. Louis, relocating when it mattered, and raising four daughters with shared names and shared values—gave Karlie the stability to build a long career on her own terms. In an industry that often pulls young talent far from home, their practical, low-drama approach stands out. As of November 2026, that family foundation still shows in the way she balances work, motherhood, and public life.
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