People still talk about it. How could they not? For thirteen years, Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady were the blueprint. The superstar quarterback and the world’s most famous supermodel. It looked perfect from the outside, but as we’ve learned since their 2022 split, the "perfect" narrative was exhausting for everyone involved.
Honestly, the fallout has been even more fascinating than the marriage itself.
In the last year, things have changed fast. Like, really fast. While fans were still mourning the end of an era, Gisele was busy building an entirely new life. She didn’t just move on; she started a whole new family.
The Breaking Point Nobody Wanted to Admit
We all remember the "un-retirement" heard 'round the world. Tom Brady says he’s done, then 40 days later, he’s back. It felt like a plot twist in a bad movie. But for Gisele, it wasn't a movie. It was her life.
She had been vocal about the "violence" of the sport and wanting him present for their kids, Benjamin and Vivian. When he went back to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for that 2022 season, the tether finally snapped.
Tom actually just opened up about this again. In a January 2026 interview on The Herd, he admitted that his final season was "tough" because of the "personal family issue" hanging over him. He was 45, trying to play at an elite level while his marriage was dissolving in the headlines. It showed on the field. The Bucs had a losing record, and Tom looked... tired.
The divorce was finalized in October 2022. It was surprisingly quick. No messy public court battles over their hundreds of millions. They had an ironclad prenup and a mutual desire to protect the kids. But the "amicable" label only covers so much of the actual pain.
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Gisele’s New Chapter: Joaquim Valente and the Secret Wedding
While Tom was figuring out his retirement (for real this time) and moving into the FOX broadcasting booth, Gisele was heading in a completely different direction.
Rumors started almost immediately after the split when she was spotted in Costa Rica with Joaquim Valente. He was her jiu-jitsu instructor. People talked. They speculated. Gisele eventually had to go on the record with the New York Times to shut down rumors that anything happened before the divorce. She called the cheating allegations a "blame the woman" tactic that happens when someone has the courage to leave an unhealthy situation.
Here’s the part that really shocked everyone:
- February 2025: Gisele gives birth to a baby boy, whose middle name is River.
- December 2025: She and Joaquim get married in a private, "hush-hush" ceremony at her home in Surfside, Florida.
Basically, Gisele chose a life that is the polar opposite of the high-octane NFL world. Joaquim isn't a celebrity. He’s a martial artist. There are reports that some of her family members were skeptical—some even calling him "penniless" compared to her $400 million net worth—but she seems more grounded than she has in years.
Where Tom Brady Stands Now
Tom isn't exactly sitting at home in the dark. He’s currently the lead analyst for FOX Sports, making a reported $375 million over ten years.
His transition to the booth wasn't easy. Year one was rough. Critics said he was too stiff. But by the 2025-2026 season, he’s actually become quite good. He’s more comfortable, more "Tom." He’s even leaning into the self-deprecating humor, though he did admit the Netflix Roast from a while back was hard on his kids.
As for his dating life? It's a revolving door of rumors. One week it’s Kim Kardashian, the next it’s Irina Shayk. Most recently, he was seen looking very cozy with influencer Alix Earle at a New Year's Eve party in St. Barths to kick off 2026.
But if you listen to him speak now, his focus is elsewhere. He talks about being at his kids' games. He talks about how Benjamin is getting into football and how Vivian is basically Gisele's twin.
The Co-Parenting Reality
They’re making it work. Sorta.
It’s not always sunshine and rainbows. Gisele has mentioned that her kids have "different rules" at her house versus Tom's house. That’s the reality of divorce that most people don't post on Instagram. It’s a constant negotiation.
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But they both show up. They both post for birthdays. They both clearly love those kids. Tom even sold his Miami mansion recently because living right across the water from Gisele and her new husband was apparently a bit too close for comfort. Can you blame him?
Lessons From the Power Couple’s Collapse
So, what can we actually take away from the Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady saga?
First, don't sacrifice your long-term peace for a short-term goal. Tom’s decision to play one more year cost him his marriage. Was that eighth ring worth it? Only he knows, but his recent comments suggest he carries some regret about how it all went down.
Second, rebranding is okay. Gisele went from "NFL Wife" to "Jiu-Jitsu Mom/Wellness Advocate" almost overnight. She stopped trying to fit into the box the world built for her.
Finally, privacy is the ultimate luxury. The fact that Gisele managed to have a baby and get married in 2025 with almost zero leaked photos until she was ready shows that even the most famous people in the world can disappear if they really want to.
If you're going through a major life transition, take a page from Gisele’s book:
- Prioritize your nervous system. She swapped stadium noise for yoga and martial arts.
- Ignore the "timeline" expectations. People thought she moved too fast with Joaquim; she clearly didn't care.
- Set boundaries early. The ironclad prenup saved them years of public misery.
The "Tom and Gisele" era is officially over, replaced by a much more complicated, human reality. And honestly? That's way more interesting than the fairytale.