It was the "perfect" marriage until it wasn't. For thirteen years, the world watched Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady like they were some kind of blueprint for a high-performance life. He had the rings. She had the runways. They had the $17 million "eco-mansion" in Miami and a lifestyle so disciplined it made a green smoothie look like a cheat meal.
Then came October 2022. The statement that rocked the internet. "We arrived at this decision to end our marriage after much consideration," Brady wrote on Instagram. Just like that, the GOAT and the Supermodel were officially over.
But honestly? The "why" is way more complicated than just a football retirement that didn't stick. We're now well into 2026, and looking back, the clues were everywhere. It wasn't just about one more season with the Bucs. It was about two people who basically grew into completely different versions of themselves.
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The Breaking Point: It Wasn’t Just About Football
People love a villain. For a long time, the internet tried to make Tom the bad guy for "choosing" football over his family. You remember the headlines. He retired in early 2022, stayed home for 40 days, then did a total 180 and went back to the NFL.
Gisele didn't hold back. In an interview with Elle, she called football a "violent sport" and admitted she’d had "those conversations" with him over and over about him being more present. She wanted him there for Benjamin and Vivian. She wanted a partner who wasn't constantly in "game mode."
Changing the Narrative
But here’s the thing: Gisele later cleared the air, saying the "ultimatum" story was total nonsense. She told Vanity Fair that the divorce was "one piece of a much bigger puzzle." It’s never just one thing, right? By 2022, they had been together since a blind date in 2006. That is a lifetime in "fame years."
She described it as a slow drift. Two people moving in different directions. She was leaning deep into wellness, yoga, and a quieter life in Florida. He was still chasing the rush of the 2-minute drill.
Where They Are Now: 2026 Updates
Fast forward to today. The dust hasn't just settled; the landscape has completely changed. Gisele isn't just "dating" anymore—she’s built a whole new life.
In December 2025, Gisele tied the knot with jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente in a private, hush-hush ceremony at their home in Surfside, Florida. This wasn't some massive celebrity spectacle. It was intimate. It was quiet. It was very her.
Even bigger news? They welcomed a baby boy in February 2025. Keeping with her tradition of nature-inspired names (like Benjamin Rein and Vivian Lake), the little guy has the middle name River. Gisele recently shared a photo on Instagram of Joaquim playing with the baby on a yoga mat. She captioned it saying her "heart is full." It’s a total vibe shift from the high-stress NFL sidelines.
Tom Brady’s New Chapter
And what about Tom? The guy is 48 now and finally, permanently retired. He’s been busy with Fanatics, his broadcasting gig at Fox, and, occasionally, the gossip columns.
Just this past New Year’s Eve (going into 2026), he was spotted in St. Barths looking pretty cozy with influencer Alix Earle. They were dancing, hanging out, basically having a good time. People went wild, but sources say it’s nothing super serious. Tom recently told People that he doesn’t have "much time for a personal life" because he’s so focused on his kids and his new business ventures.
How the Co-Parenting Actually Works
Despite the drama of the split, these two seem to have the co-parenting thing down to a science. Benjamin is 16 now—a sophomore in high school—and Vivian is 13, playing "kick-ass" volleyball, according to her dad.
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Reports suggest Tom was actually aware of Gisele’s wedding to Joaquim before it happened. They talk. They coordinate. When Gisele was pregnant with River, Tom was supportive. They’ve managed to avoid the messy "public feud" trap that catches so many celebrity exes.
- The Schedule: They both live in the Miami area, which makes the hand-offs way easier.
- The Kids: Benjamin and Vivian have been seen bonding with their new baby brother, River.
- The Mutual Respect: Gisele still says she wants Tom to "conquer" all his dreams. There’s no bitterness, just a lot of history.
Lessons from the Split
What can we actually learn from the Gisele Bundchen Tom Brady saga? Honestly, it’s a masterclass in the "gray area" of relationships.
It reminds us that "having it all" doesn't mean you have it all forever. People change. Values shift. Sometimes, the most "successful" thing you can do for a relationship is know when it's time to let it evolve into a friendship.
If you're navigating a major life transition or trying to find balance in a high-pressure environment, take a page out of the Gisele playbook:
- Honor your "heart's calling." Gisele chose a path that prioritized her peace over a public image of the "perfect couple."
- Keep the kids first. Their ability to maintain a united front for Benjamin and Vivian is why they’re still "winning" in the long run.
- Don't fear the pivot. Both of them have completely rebranded their lives since 2022. It's okay to start over, even when the whole world is watching.
The story of Gisele and Tom isn't a tragedy. It’s just a very public example of how life works. You grow, you change, and if you're lucky, you end up exactly where you're supposed to be. For Gisele, that’s a quiet life in Florida with a new husband and a baby. For Tom, it’s a second act in the booth and a lot of quality time at his kids' games.
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To keep up with their latest moves, you can follow Gisele's wellness journey through her 2026 TASCHEN book release or catch Tom on his latest Fanatics projects.
Next Steps for You
- Audit your priorities: Are you staying in a situation because it "looks good" or because it actually is good for your mental health?
- Focus on communication: If you’re co-parenting or navigating a split, prioritize transparency over ego—it's what saved the Brady-Bundchen dynamic.
- Reinvent your routine: Like Gisele, don't be afraid to ditch the "high-performance" grind for something that actually makes you feel recharged.