During their 16 years together, Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady were widely regarded as one of the most loved-up couples in Hollywood – so it’s perhaps unsurprising that they had one of the more civil splits in Hollywood history.
The former couple were set up on a blind date in 2006 and, even though the early days of their romance were as complicated by his ex-girlfriend’s surprise pregnancy, Tom and Gisele fell madly in love.
Three years later, the supermodel and NFL player – who regularly referred to one another as the ‘love of their life’ – tied the knot and went on to have two children of their own, Benjamin, 14, and Vivian, 11.
Despite their split in 2022, Gisele said earlier this year that she still has love for her ex-husband, whom she is reportedly extremely close to.
However the news of Gisele’s ‘unexpected’ pregnancy with her Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor boyfriend undeniably marks a new chapter in the supermodel’s life – and furthers distances her from the life she shared with Tom.
Pictured: NFL player Tom Brady and supermodel Gisele Bundchen at the 2018 Met Gala in New York
Pictured: Gisele Bundchen with her Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor boyfriend Joaquim Valente. The couple have announced they are expecting their first child
Here FEMAIL delves into Tom and Gisele’s ‘amicable’ split – as the supermodel’s pregnancy signals she’s officially moving on.
At the time of their divorce, Gisele had starred in more than 550 ad campaigns, posed for 2,000 magazine covers, and walked in 800 fashion shows, while Tom had played 22 seasons in the NFL, helping his teams win seven Super Bowl titles and breaking numerous records along the way.
Together, the pair amassed a staggering fortune – even as Gisele put her fashion career on the backburner in order to support her husband’s quest for continued Super Bowl glory – they were estimated have a combined fortune of $733 million.
The A-Listers were reported to have an ‘ironclad’ pre-nuptial agreement in place before they tied the knot to avoid any conflict over their assets.
A source told Page Six at the time: ‘There was an ironclad prenup set down before they married in 2009.
‘They both have their own separate business entities, so the separation of their wealth wasn’t that complicated in the end. The only other major factor was dividing up their massive property portfolio.’
It was claimed that the NFL legend – who is said to be worth approximately $333 million – gained full ownership of the $17 million mansion located in Miami’s Indian Creek Island, which is often referred to as ‘Billionaire Bunker.’
Sources claimed that Gisele – who had also bought a quietly purchased a modest $1.25 million Miami Beach home eight months before the split was announced – kept their vacation home on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica.
Pictured: Gisele and Tom marked their 10 year wedding anniversary with this affectionate selfie
Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen with their children Benjamin and Vivian and Tom’s son with Bridget Moynahan
Pictured: Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen on their wedding day in 2009. The couple announced their split in 2022
The publication also claimed the pair had settled ‘the terms of the split and the division of their huge property portfolio’ before Gisele filed for divorce.
It was also claimed they worked with a mediator, which couples typically use to avoid having to go to court.
Earlier this year, the model broke down in tears when speaking about her divorce – and said she only ever ‘wanted all of [Tom’s] dreams to come true].
Speaking to Vanity Fair, Gisele shut down speculation she had given the American football pro an ultimatum – forcing him to choose their relationship over his sporting career.
Instead, she insisted they simply ‘grew apart’ and realised that they wanted ‘different things’.
She gushed: ‘I have always cheered for him, and I would continue forever. If there’s one person I want to be the happiest in the world, it’s him, believe me. I want him to achieve and to conquer. I want all his dreams to come true. That’s what I want, really, from the bottom of my heart.
The couple pictured two years after their wedding at the Premier Global Environmental Awards in New York
In 2009, the supermodel and NFL player – who regularly referred to one another as the ‘love of their life’ – tied the knot and went on to have two children of their own, Benjamin, 14, and Vivian, 11
‘Sometimes you grow together; sometimes you grow apart. When I was 26 years old and he was 29 years old, we met, we wanted a family, we wanted things together.’
The star went on to hint that she still had love for her ex-husband – but that they were no longer on the same page towards the end of their marriage.
She continued: ‘As time goes by, we realise that we just wanted different things, and now we have a choice to make. That doesn’t mean you don’t love the person.
‘It just means that in order for you to be authentic and truly live the life that you want to live, you have to have somebody who can meet you in the middle, right? It’s a dance. It’s a balance.’
In October 2022, Tom and Gisele announced their divorce on the same day it was finalised.
He wrote on Instagram: ‘In recent days, my wife and I finalized our divorce from one another after 13 years of marriage. We arrived at this decision amicably and with gratitude for the time we spent together.’
Gisele Bundchen shared this photo of Tom Brady to celebrate the ‘love of her life’ on his birthday when they were still married
The following month, Tom said on his SiriusXM Let’s Go! radio show that his relationship with Gisele is ‘very amicable’.
He added: ‘We all have our unique challenges in life. We’re all humans. We do the best we could do.’
What’s more, Gisele is even said to have reached out to Tom – who is currently facing backlash for using a ‘slur’ to describe Bills quarterback Josh Allen – privately to inform him of her happy news.
While the pregnancy was ‘unexpected’, the supermodel is said to be ‘so happy’ to be able to give her boyfriend Joaquim Valente the family she knows he has always wanted.
The couple, who were plagued with split rumours earlier this year, were not planning to have a child together, according to sources who told DailyMail.com that a wedding could also be on the cards.
Tom Brady kisses his wife Gisele Bundchen as he celebrates his Super Bowl LV victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021
Pictured: the affectionate selfie Tom Brady shared to refer to his ex-wife Gisele as his ‘forever Valentine’ when they were still married
‘Gisele and Joaquim were not planning to have a child together,’ the insider said. ‘This was unexpected. Joaquim has always wanted a family, so she is happy to be able to give this to him.
‘She knew that he would be a great father when her kids started taking classes with him. He is patient, playful and so understanding.’
Their children are said to be ‘absolutely thrilled’ by the news and have long adored Valente.
‘Gisele’s kids are absolutely thrilled by this,’ they continued. ‘Joaquim has been a huge part of both of their lives since 2021 when she started including Jiu Jitsu as part of their homeschooling.
‘They love him and look to him as a father figure. They are starting a family of their own now and a wedding is going to happen in the future.’
Gisele’s shock announcement came on Monday afternoon, with sources telling People that Bundchen and Valente are ‘happy for this new chapter.’
‘Gisele and Joaquim are happy for this new chapter in their life and they’re looking forward to creating a peaceful and loving environment for the whole family,’ they said.
While Gisele would regularly post photos of Tom on social media during their marriage, the star has taken been much more private in her new relationship.
Gisele’s boyfriend Joaquim Valente is a jiu-jitsu instructor at The Valente Brothers, a self-defence studio he owns with his siblings Pedro and Gui Valente in Miami.
According to their studio website, Joaquim – who also has criminology degree from Barry University – and his brothers were taught jiu-jitsu from their father before they even started walking.
Joaquim (right) is pictured with his brothers Pedro and Gui Valente, with whom he runs their Miami studio
Gisele and Joaquim first met in December 2021 when she sought out jiu-jitsu training for her son and then decided to take classes too.
In early July, the lovebirds enjoyed a summer vacation to Costa Rica with her two children.
She told Dust Magazine: ‘Initially, I wasn’t even considering it for myself. But when I brought [her son Ben] to the first class and started talking to Joaquim, I realised that it was much more than self defence.’
Adding that the jiu-jitsu philosophy interested her the most: ‘It felt very much in line with what I believe in and look for in my life, and how I have a path to develop and become the best version of myself.’
‘This is the first time I am seeing someone that was a friend of mine first,’ Bündchen told the New York Times. ‘It’s very different. It is very honest, and it’s very transparent.’
The couple was first romantically linked on Valentine’s Day as they were photographed sharing a kiss during a date in Miami. Page Six reported at the time that the couple is ‘deeply in love.’
A source told People that Bündchen and Valente ‘have been dating since June,’ adding: ‘They’re taking it slow.’
Another insider said ‘they started out as friends’ and had a lot in common, both moving from their native Brazil at a young age.
‘He was a huge comfort for Gisele while she went through her divorce,’ the source said. ‘Their friendship turned romantic after the divorce.’
In February 2024, a source for People revealed that Gisele and Joaquim have actually been dating since June 2023.
