She’s graced countless magazine covers, launched a global beauty empire, and married a tech billionaire, but behind the dazzling facade, Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr has a surprisingly down-to-earth obsession: property.
From the ashes of a childhood farmhouse to the glitzy Hollywood Hills, Kerr’s personal journey, recently laid bare on Paul C. Brunson’s “We Need To Talk” podcast, reveals that her love for all things ‘house and home’ has been a constant, defining force through every twist and turn of her extraordinary life.
While the interview delved into the profound moments that shaped her – from devastating loss to navigating fame and co-parenting – it’s her candid reflections on real estate that offer a unique glimpse into the foundations of her world.
The heartbreak of a lost family home
Kerr’s formative years were spent in the small country town of Gunnedah, New South Wales, primarily on her grandparents’ farm.
With her parents balancing work and study, her grandparents played a crucial role in her upbringing, providing an idyllic and nurturing environment.
The farmhouse itself was steeped in family history, having been her father’s childhood home and housing cherished heirlooms, including a great grand piano belonging to her great-grandmother.
Ann Kerr, grandmother of model Miranda, out the front of her gutted home on family property near Gunnedah, that suffered severe damage in fire when struck by lightning during a storm the previous day.
Proud grandmother Ann Kerr holding a photograph of her granddaughter Miranda at her home in Gunnedah, NSW.
Tragically, this beloved home became the setting for profound loss.
Kerr recounted the devastating incident: “ … when I was giving birth to Flynn my grandparents house got struck by lightning and the whole house burned down and they didn’t have insurance … and that was the house that my dad was raised in. That I was raised in.”
She further elaborated on the emotional impact, stating, “It was such a nurturing, loving space,” add that the fire destroyed a grand piano that had been passed down generations.
A young Miranda Kerr with her brother. Picture: Matty Kerr/Instagram
When she rocked bangs and piggy-tails … Picture: Matty Kerr/Instagram
Despite this heartbreak, Kerr credits her upbringing on the farm for instilling in her a strong work ethic, a deep appreciation for family, and a humble perspective that has grounded her throughout her high-profile modelling career.
Cramped quarters: Early modelling days
At 17, Kerr embarked on her international modelling career, which saw her living in a series of cramped, shared “model apartments” across Japan, Barcelona, Paris, and Milan.
She described the consistent setup: “I remember I was sharing a model apartment with … three girls in my room … and then there was three girls in the other room (and only one bathroom).”
With love from Paris. Picture Miranda Kerr/ Instagram
Kerr is seen leaving the Sonia Rykiel Fashion Show during Paris Fashion Week in 2014. Photo: Vittorio Zunino Celotto
Facing the high cost of living, particularly in Japan, Kerr’s mother would pack her suitcase with essentials like cans of tuna and rice.
This led to a memorable encounter with a hungry roommate.
Kerr’s early modelling days weren’t all fun and games.
“I remember in the middle of the night one of the girls was going through the fridge and she was eating my food and I was like ‘Honey you can ask me I you can have my food anytime you don’t have to wait till the middle of the night, like don’t feel like you have to if you’re hungry just let me know, like we can share this,” she recalled, adding, “I was like, I’ve got plenty of cans of tuna in there don’t you worry. I’ve got tuna for days.”
These early experiences undoubtedly shaped her appreciation for comfort and privacy later in life.
The Paparazzi problem: New York living
During her high-profile relationship with actor Orlando Bloom, Kerr’s New York apartment became a focal point for paparazzi, severely impacting her privacy and ability to undertake everyday activities with her son, Flynn.
“I remember going downstairs and just outside of my New York apartment there’d be like 20 photographers every day,” she explained.
Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr together in New York after the announcement of them splitting up.
The constant intrusion led to moments of intense frustration.
“I went downstairs and I wanted to take Flynn downstairs but there was all these paparazzi and I was like ‘This is really frustrating and I have to take Flynn back upstairs now cuz I didn’t want to expose him to that unless I actually had to. I was like ‘Guess we’re not going to the park today kiddo’.”
Kerr with son Flynn in New York.
The stress culminated in a viral moment when, after retreating upstairs, she had to leave the apartment alone for an errand.
In a rare display of annoyance, she gestured at the photographers.
“I had to go and do something later in that day so … there’s a picture of me and I’m flicking the middle finger,” she admitted.
While Kerr and Bloom eventually split, the two are now friendly exes and have even made an effort to live close to one another for the benefit of their son.
“When we made that decision to separate, I said to him, let’s always put the needs of Flynn first. Like, let’s not make it about us. Let’s make it about what’s … in the best interest for Flynn.”
Miranda Kerr during the We Need to Talk podcast.
The hard work has certainly paid off.
Kerr highlighted during the interview how she and her ex are now “great friends.”
Moments before, she had texted him “Happy Birthday,” and he responded with gratitude.
“He told me thank you to me for being such a wonderful mother to Flynn and a great friend to him and that how grateful he is to have me in his life,” she shared.
Kerr reciprocated his warm wishes, detailing her reply to him: “I feel the same and I said thank you for everything that you are and being such a you know wonderful father to (Flynn) and uh you know I wish him only all the best for this coming year.”
Building a connection through renovations
Real estate also played an unexpected role in the genesis of her relationship with Evan Spiegel.
The pair first met at a Louis Vuitton dinner at the MoMA in New York in 2014, where they discovered a shared passion for home renovations.
Kerr was in the process of remodelling her Malibu residence, while Spiegel had recently purchased and was renovating a house in Brentwood.
Evan Spiegel and Miranda Kerr arrive at the 12th Breakthrough Prize Ceremony in April, 2026. Photo: Jordan Strauss.
“At the time I was renovating my house in Malibu and he just bought a house in Brentwood and he was renovating so we were connecting about that,” Kerr shared.
Their conversation delved into specific details, including the installation of security cameras, which naturally led to an exchange of contact information as Spiegel offered to recommend a “great person” for her security needs.
Kerr’s former Malibu home.
Kerr sold her Malibu home for $4.115 million in August 2024, having originally listed it for just under $4.5 million.
Multi-generational living: A pandemic blessing
The COVID-19 pandemic brought an unexpected opportunity for Kerr and her family to fulfil a long-held dream.
She travelled to Australia, allowing her three children – Hart, Miles, and Flynn – to spend quality time with her grandparents.
This resulted in a unique multi-generational living arrangement where her children, her parents, and her grandparents all resided together under one roof.
Miranda Kerr with her family in 2014. Source: Instagram.
Kerr enjoying a cup of tea with her grandma. Source: Instagram.
The experience held profound significance for Kerr, bringing all generations together, particularly during a poignant time. “ … it was really special even though at the time my grandpa was dying and my grandma … she ended up passing 20 days after he passed,” she reflected.
This period reinforced her deep family values and the importance of intergenerational connections within the home.
There’s no place like home: A life centred on family
Having once embraced a jetsetting lifestyle, Kerr now intentionally structures her career around her family.
By founding her own business and working from home, she ensures she is available for her children after school, a flexibility she considers a massive privilege, especially given her own mother’s demanding work and study schedule during her childhood.
Kerr and Spiegel share a home in Los Angeles, which reports suggest is a $100m to $120m-plus property.
For Kerr, there’s no place like home.
Kerr maintains a structured daily routine to maximise quality time with her children. “I eat at 4.30pm with the kids on the weekdays and around 5pm on the weekends and then Evan will join on the weekends …” she explained.
After putting the children to bed, “ … then Evan’s home and then you know, I’ll talk with him about his day and sit with him while he has dinner, if he hasn’t already eaten … but we have that time together.”
Deeply influenced by her humble upbringing on a rural Australian farm, Kerr actively works to raise grounded, unentitled children.
Miranda Kerr at home. Source: Instagram.
Recognising their privileged circumstances, she and Evan make a conscious effort to teach them the value of money and the importance of a strong work ethic, including telling them they will need to save for their own first cars, just as she did.
Her current home is also a testament to healthy co-parenting dynamics.
When asked about Orlando Bloom visiting her house with Evan, Kerr affirmed, “ … from day one Orlando and I had done a lot of spiritual work and forgiveness was a big part of that. Forgiving each other forgiving ourselves (and) creating peace within the situation …”
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