Getting through it. Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen have been working hard to remain cordial — and put their kids first — after calling it quits in fall 2022.
The former New England Patriots quarterback and the supermodel initially sparked rumors there was trouble in paradise after Brady walked back his NFL retirement in March 2022. The TB12 Method author briefly left the sport in February 2022, but when he chose to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the following month, the cracks in his relationship with Bündchen began to show.
“Gisele was not happy when Tom un-retired from the NFL after such a short time,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly in September 2022, revealing that the former couple were living in separate houses. “There is tension between them. They’re working through things and trying to come out the other side.”
Brady and Bündchen — who who tied the knot in February 2009 and share son Benjamin and daughter Vivian — confirmed their split and subsequent divorce in October 2022. (The 80 for Brady producer also shares son Jack with ex-girlfriend Bridget Moynahan.)
“In recent days, my wife and I finalized our divorce from one another after 13 years of marriage,” the University of Michigan alum wrote via Instagram at the time. “We arrived at this decision amicably and with gratitude for the time we spent together.”
The Brazil native shared a similar message with her followers, adding: “The decision to end a marriage is never easy but we have grown apart and while it is, of course, difficult to go through something like this, I feel blessed for the time we had together and only wish the best for Tom always. I kindly ask that our privacy be respected during this sensitive time.”
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“I’ve dealt with a lot of challenging situations on and off the field over 23 years, and a lot of it does play out in front of a lot of people,” he reflected during an October 2022 episode of his SiriusXM’s “Let’s Go! with Tom Brady, Larry Fitzgerald and Jim Gray” podcast. “I think the interesting thing for a football player, or an athlete in general, is … I always say we’re not actors. Even though we’re on TV, you know, that is our real self out there. We’re trying to do our best.”
Brady added: “We all have our unique challenges in life. We’re all humans. We do the best we could do. I want to be a great father to my children and always try to do things the right way as well. And to deal with things in your life that have challenges, you wanna deal with them in the best possible way.”
After finishing out the 2022 football season, Brady announced in February 2023 that he was officially retiring from the NFL. Despite their split, a source exclusively told Us at the time that the Vogue cover star was a “real rock” for the athlete and that the exes “talked this through” before Brady made his decision public.
“Tom and Gisele are on cordial terms,” the insider said, noting, “He couldn’t have achieved a fraction of his success without his family, friends and supporters.”
October 2022
The exes issued statements after news broke that their marriage was over. “With much gratitude for our time together, Tom and I have amicably finalized our divorce,” the Lessons From My Meaningful Life author wrote in an Instagram Story statement at the time. “My priority has always been and will continue to be our children whom I love with all my heart. We will continue coparenting to give them the love, care and attention they greatly deserve.”
Brady, for his part, added: “We are blessed with beautiful and wonderful children who will continue to be the center of our world in every way. We will continue to work together as parents to always ensure they receive the love and attention they deserve.”
October 2022
“I think there’s a lot of professionals in life that go through things that they deal with at work, and they deal with at home,” Brady said during an episode of his “Let’s Go!” podcast of the breakup. “Obviously, the good news is it’s a very amicable situation, and I’m really focused on two things: taking care of my family and certainly my children and, secondly, doing the best job I can to win football games.”
November 2022
The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback addressed his ups and downs on and off the field in a press conference. “I’ve always tried to do the best I could do here and then when I leave here, I try to do the best I could do, and that’s what we all try to do,” he said.
Brady added: “I’m sure everyone sitting in this room, sitting at home, just trying to wake up every day doing the best they could do for their families and their career, and I’m no different. So just try to do the best you can do every day, and I’m certainly no different.”
December 2022
Bündchen jetted off to Brazil with her two kids for some rest and relaxation post-split. “Recharging with my little ones in the country of my ❤️,” she captioned an Instagram carousel of photos on the Praia Brava beach.
December 2022
The California native reflected on how his life had shifted ahead of the holidays. “It’ll be a new experience that I’ve never had before that I’m gonna learn how to deal with. And I think that’s what life’s about,” Brady said on his podcast, noting that he was playing a game on Christmas Day. “So you just asked a question about what have you learned from this football season? I’m gonna learn how to deal with Christmas Eve in a hotel, and I’m gonna have to learn how to deal with Christmas and Christmas night and still go out there and be a professional.”
The quarterback explained that he would have his own festivities with his kids the following day. “And then look forward to celebrating Christmas with my kids the day after. Which is, you know, just part of what football season has been for a long time,” he added. “So it’s just, again, emotional aspects that allow us to thrive.”
February 2023
When Brady retired for the second and final time, he gave his ex-wife and their inner circle a shout-out. “I love my family. I love my teammates. I love my friends. I love my coaches. I love football. I love you all,” he captioned an emotional Instagram announcement. “I am truly grateful on this day. Thank you 🙏🏻❤️.”
The NFL star gushed over his support system in a corresponding video, saying, “Every single one of you … my family, my friends, my teammates, my competitors. I could go on forever. Thank you guys for allowing me to live out my absolute dream. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
February 2023
The supermodel, for her part, showed her former spouse support as he stepped away from football for good. “Wishing you only wonderful things in this new chapter of your life. 🙏🏼,” Bündchen wrote via Instagram at the time.
February 2023
The retired athlete shared a cryptic message while celebrating his first Valentine’s Day apart from Bündchen. “Love is not a transaction,” the quote read. “It is a certain exuberance and sweetness of your emotion.”
Brady proceeded to toast his three Valentines — daughter Vivian and sons Ben and Jack — sharing photos of his three kids along with red heart emojis via his Instagram Story.
Bündchen, for her part, snuggled up to her dogs on the love-themed holiday. “Pure love!! I am convinced they are little angels on Earth,” she captioned the pooch pictures. “Happy Valentine’s Day to all! ❤️❤️❤️.”
March 2023
The supermodel broke her silence on her divorce in her April 2023 Vanity Fair cover story, explaining that the breakup wasn’t “black and white.” After referring to the end of her marriage as “the death of my dream,” Bündchen addressed speculation that she’s dating her jiu-jitsu instructor, Joaquim Valente.
“I think, at this point, unfortunately, because I’m divorced, I’m sure that [people will] try to attach me to anything,” she said. “I’m so grateful to know [Joaquim and his siblings], because not only have they helped me and helped my kids, but they have become great friends, and Joaquim especially. … It’s so good to have that kind of energy, to have my kids around that type of energy.”
Bündchen also asserted that she’ll continue to root for Brady post-split. “Listen, 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,” she said.
