Heidi Klum Shares Emotional Post as Daughter Leni Leaves for College: 'Spread Your Wings and Fly'

Mar. 15, 2025

Leni Klum and Heidi Klum.Photo: Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images for Luisaviaroma

It’s a bittersweet day forHeidi Klumas her oldest child heads off to college.On Tuesday, theAmerica’s Got Talentjudge, 49, shared a heartfelt post onInstagramas her 18-year-old daughterLenileft for her “big move” to New York City.Sharing a throwback photo of when she was pregnant with Leni at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Klum mused over how fast her daughter is growing up as she felt like the picture was taken “only yesterday.““Today is your big move to head off to college… 🥹😿Seems like only yesterday that this photo was taken when I was four months pregnant with you safe and sound in my belly. 🤰🏼,” she wrote.“Sometimes I wish I could always have you that close but I know it’s now time for you to go spread your wings and fly,” Klum continued. “🦋Take flight, be safe and shine bright my@leniklum💖"Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Klum shares daughters Leni and Lou, 12, and sons Henry, 16, and Johan, 15, with exSeal. The kids are also close with Klum’s husband, musicianTom Kaulitz, who considers himselfan “extra dad"to his wife’s children.In an interview withEntertainment Tonightlast week, the model opened up about the emotions she’s feeling as Leni prepared for her first year at college.“I am [so proud],” Klum told the outlet. “You know, she has her head screwed on right.““Right now, college is on top of the list. It’s not modeling and she’s really excited for that next chapter in her life,” she added.Heidi Klum and daughter Leni.Leni Klum/InstagramThe proud mom said the next chapter means Leni is “unfortunately” moving out.“Which is obviously sad but at the same time that she’s got enough to go for it,” she toldET. “She’s moving to New York. I started in New York, so she knows New York inside and out because we shotProject Runwaythere for so many years.“Making a name for herself in the modeling world, Leni landed herfirst solo magazine cover withGlamourGermanylast spring — exactly 20 years after Heidi was the magazine’s first cover star.The mother-daughter duo later coveredVogueGermany’s January/February 2021 issue together, wearing colorful matching pantsuits and no shoes.

It’s a bittersweet day forHeidi Klumas her oldest child heads off to college.

On Tuesday, theAmerica’s Got Talentjudge, 49, shared a heartfelt post onInstagramas her 18-year-old daughterLenileft for her “big move” to New York City.

Sharing a throwback photo of when she was pregnant with Leni at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Klum mused over how fast her daughter is growing up as she felt like the picture was taken “only yesterday.”

“Today is your big move to head off to college… 🥹😿Seems like only yesterday that this photo was taken when I was four months pregnant with you safe and sound in my belly. 🤰🏼,” she wrote.

“Sometimes I wish I could always have you that close but I know it’s now time for you to go spread your wings and fly,” Klum continued. “🦋Take flight, be safe and shine bright my@leniklum💖”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Klum shares daughters Leni and Lou, 12, and sons Henry, 16, and Johan, 15, with exSeal. The kids are also close with Klum’s husband, musicianTom Kaulitz, who considers himselfan “extra dad"to his wife’s children.

In an interview withEntertainment Tonightlast week, the model opened up about the emotions she’s feeling as Leni prepared for her first year at college.

“I am [so proud],” Klum told the outlet. “You know, she has her head screwed on right.”

“Right now, college is on top of the list. It’s not modeling and she’s really excited for that next chapter in her life,” she added.

Heidi Klum and daughter Leni.Leni Klum/Instagram

The proud mom said the next chapter means Leni is “unfortunately” moving out.

“Which is obviously sad but at the same time that she’s got enough to go for it,” she toldET. “She’s moving to New York. I started in New York, so she knows New York inside and out because we shotProject Runwaythere for so many years.”

Making a name for herself in the modeling world, Leni landed herfirst solo magazine cover withGlamourGermanylast spring — exactly 20 years after Heidi was the magazine’s first cover star.

The mother-daughter duo later coveredVogueGermany’s January/February 2021 issue together, wearing colorful matching pantsuits and no shoes.

source: people.com