It was the divorce that effectively ended an era. When Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen announced their split in October 2022, it wasn't just another celebrity breakup. It felt like the collapse of a blueprint for "having it all." For thirteen years, they were the ultimate power couple—the GOAT of the NFL and the world’s most successful supermodel. But by early 2026, the dust has finally settled, and the picture looks very different than what the tabloids originally sold us.
Honestly, it wasn't just about a football game.
🔗 Read more: Who is Dating Taylor Swift: Why Her Engagement to Travis Kelce Still Matters
Most people blamed "the un-retirement." You know the story: Tom retires, Gisele is happy, Tom changes his mind forty days later, and Gisele leaves. It makes for a great headline, but it’s a bit too simple. Relationships rarely fail because of one single phone call to a front office. Recently, Brady himself admitted that his final season in Tampa Bay was a "challenge" that took a massive toll on his ability to play. He wasn't just fighting defensive ends; he was navigating a "personal family issue" that had been brewing for much longer than one season.
Why Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen Still Matter in 2026
We are obsessed with them because they tried to do the impossible. They tried to maintain two "top of the world" careers while raising three kids in a fishbowl. It’s hard. Really hard. Even with chefs and private jets.
Gisele later clarified to Vanity Fair that the narrative of her giving him an "ultimatum" about football was basically a lie. She called those rumors "the craziest thing" she’d ever heard. Instead, she described the split as a "death and a rebirth." She’d spent years following him from New England to Florida, supporting his dream while hers took a backseat. By the time 2022 rolled around, they had simply grown into different people.
The New Reality: Joaquim, Alix, and Co-Parenting
Fast forward to right now. Life has moved fast.
- Gisele’s New Chapter: She didn't just move on; she reinvented her entire life. In February 2025, Gisele welcomed a son with her jiu-jitsu instructor, Joaquim Valente. By December 2025, they were married in a quiet, private ceremony in Florida. It was a "non-event" wedding, according to insiders—exactly the opposite of the high-glam life she lived with Tom.
- Tom’s Transition: After retiring "for good" in 2023, Brady took his $375 million contract to the Fox Sports broadcast booth. He’s been linked to various people, most recently influencer Alix Earle during a 2026 New Year's Eve party in St. Barths.
- The Kids: This is where they actually succeeded. Benjamin and Vivian are teenagers now. Despite the massive wealth and the very public split, Tom and Gisele have managed a masterclass in co-parenting. You don't see them trashing each other in the press. You see them showing up to games and school events.
The Financial Fallout and the "Billionaire Bunker"
Divorcing when you're worth a combined $650 million isn't like a normal breakup. They had to untangle a massive real estate portfolio. Tom kept the "Billionaire Bunker" mansion on Indian Creek Island in Miami—a $17 million property they bought together in 2020.
Gisele, meanwhile, leaned into her own brand. She’s back to being one of the highest-paid models in the world, but with a focus on wellness and environmentalism. She basically traded the stadium lights for the Costa Rican jungle and a more grounded Florida life.
✨ Don't miss: Emma Watson in Bikini: Why the Internet Is Still Obsessed With Her Holiday Style
What Most People Get Wrong About the Split
The biggest misconception is that there was a "villain." In reality, they were just two people who realized their paths were no longer parallel. Brady wanted one more shot at greatness; Gisele wanted a partner who was present. Neither of those desires is "wrong," they just don't work together at the same time.
Today, they seem to have found a genuine rhythm. Brady has been vocal about wanting to be at "all his kids' games" because they spent enough years at his. Gisele is reportedly "the happiest she’s been in a long time."
Insights for the Rest of Us
Watching Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen navigate the end of their marriage offers a few real-world takeaways, even if you don't have a Super Bowl ring:
✨ Don't miss: Kid Cudi Major Life Events: The Real Story Behind the Moon Man
- Prioritize the "After": The way they handled the legal side—quietly and quickly—saved their children from years of tabloid trauma.
- Growth Isn't Linear: You can love someone and still realize you can't live with them anymore.
- Identity Matters: Both of them had to find out who they were without the other. For Tom, it was life without the helmet. For Gisele, it was life without being the "supportive NFL wife."
If you’re following their journey, the best thing to do is look at their current projects. Check out Gisele’s latest work with Gaia Herb or watch Brady’s analysis on Fox Sports to see how he's translated that legendary "football IQ" into a media career. Their story didn't end with a divorce; it just shifted into two very different, very successful sequels.