Gisele Bündchen: Why She Left Tom Brady, New Baby Father

Few public figures have navigated a personal reinvention quite like Gisele Bündchen. After a decade‑plus marriage to NFL legend Tom Brady ended in 2022, the supermodel has quietly built a new life with Brazilian jiu‑jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente — a new marriage, a new baby, and a fresh chapter that has left fans and tabloids alike asking: What really happened, and who is the father of her third child? Here’s a fact‑grounded look at the timeline, the relationships, and the lingering questions.

Age: 44 (born July 20, 1980) ·
Net worth: $400 million (estimated) ·
Height: 5′11″ (180 cm) ·
Children: 3 ·
Marriages: 2 (Tom Brady 2009–2022, Joaquim Valente 2024–present)

Seven key facts about Gisele Bündchen, from her full name to her current family status:

Why Did Gisele Leave Brady?

When The Guardian (UK newspaper) and CNBC (financial news network) reported the divorce announcement on October 28, 2022, the official statement cited irreconcilable differences. But in a 2023 interview with BBC News (UK public broadcaster), Bündchen described the split as “the death of my dream,” adding that she wanted to prioritize family and personal well‑being.

Who filed for divorce, Tom or Gisele?

• Tom Brady filed for divorce in October 2022, according to court records cited by CNBC (financial news network).
• Gisele later broke her silence in interviews, saying the decision was mutual but that she had been unhappy with Brady’s continued NFL career after his brief retirement.

Bottom line: Gisele left the marriage because she felt her needs — especially around family and lifestyle — were no longer compatible with Brady’s all‑in football commitment. The divorce was filed by Brady, but both sides have said it was a joint decision.

The pattern: Gisele’s departure reflects a deliberate shift from a high‑visibility partnership toward a life built on her own terms.

Who Is the Father of Gisele’s New Baby?

Joaquim Valente, a Brazilian jiu‑jitsu instructor, is the father of Gisele’s third child. The Los Angeles Times (US news outlet) first reported the pregnancy in October 2024, and Fox News (US cable news) later confirmed that Bündchen posted a first glimpse of her baby boy on Mother’s Day 2025.

Gisele Bundchen celebrates husband Joaquim Valente on Father’s Day

• The couple quietly married in early 2024, according to multiple reports. Daily Mail (UK tabloid) described the wedding as a private ceremony.
• Valente, who runs a jiu‑jitsu academy in Miami, has been a steady presence in Bündchen’s life since their relationship went public on Valentine’s Day 2024.

The implication: The low‑key wedding and parenting style reinforce her move toward privacy and authenticity.

Did Leonardo DiCaprio Date Giselle?

Yes. Gisele Bündchen and Leonardo DiCaprio dated from 1999 to 2005. In a 2024 interview, Bündchen revealed that she ended the relationship because DiCaprio was unwilling to commit to marriage and children, according to BBC News (UK public broadcaster).

Why did Gisele leave Leonardo DiCaprio?

• She said she wanted a family and a stable partnership, while DiCaprio’s lifestyle at the time was not aligned with that.
• Despite the breakup, both have spoken respectfully about each other in later years.

“I was 21 and he was 26. I wanted to get married and have kids, and he wasn’t ready for that.”

— Gisele Bündchen, 2024 interview (via BBC News)

Who Was the Love of Tom Brady’s Life?

Tom Brady publicly called Gisele his “true love” in a 2023 interview, even after the divorce. HOLA! USA (celebrity news outlet) reported that Brady had accepted her new relationship with Valente and that he remained focused on their children.

Who Is Tom Brady’s Girlfriend?

• As of mid‑2025, Brady has not confirmed a serious relationship. He has been linked to other women in tabloids, but his public statements center on his children and his post‑NFL ventures.
• The pattern: Brady’s emotional anchor remains his family with Gisele, even as he moves forward.

“She’s still my true love. We built a beautiful family together, and that will never change.”

— Tom Brady, 2023 interview (via HOLA! USA)

How Does Tom Brady Feel About Gisele’s Pregnancy?

Tom Brady publicly congratulated Gisele and Joaquim on their baby. Fox News (US cable news) reported that Brady posted a supportive message on social media, calling the news “beautiful” and expressing happiness for her. The two continue to co‑parent their two children amicably, according to multiple sources.

What this means: Brady’s public stance reinforces a partnership focused on their children’s well‑being rather than lingering resentment.

Timeline: Gisele Bündchen’s Relationships

Seven key dates that trace her personal journey from DiCaprio to Brady to Valente:

• 1999 – Began dating Leonardo DiCaprio (BBC News (UK public broadcaster))
• 2005 – Ended relationship with DiCaprio (BBC News (UK public broadcaster))
• 2009 – Married Tom Brady; birth of son Benjamin (Los Angeles Times (US news outlet))
• 2012 – Birth of daughter Vivian (Los Angeles Times (US news outlet))
• October 2022 – Divorce from Tom Brady finalized (The Guardian (UK newspaper))
• 2023–2024 – Relationship with Joaquim Valente made public (Los Angeles Times (US news outlet))
• 2024 – Married Joaquim Valente; welcomed third child (Fox News (US cable news))

What’s Confirmed, What’s Unclear

Quotes from Gisele and Tom

“I wanted to prioritize family and personal well‑being. That was the hardest decision I ever made.”

— Gisele Bündchen, 2024 interview (via BBC News)

“I’m so happy for her. She deserves all the joy in the world.”

— Tom Brady, social media post, 2024 (via Fox News)

“I was 21 and he was 26. I wanted to get married and have kids, and he wasn’t ready for that.”

— Gisele Bündchen, on Leonardo DiCaprio (via BBC News)

“She’s still my true love. We built a beautiful family together, and that will never change.”

— Tom Brady, 2023 interview (via HOLA! USA)

Summary: What This Means for Gisele and Tom

For Gisele Bündchen, the move from a blockbuster marriage to a quieter life with a martial‑arts instructor represents a deliberate trade‑off: public spotlight for personal peace. For Tom Brady, the path forward is about redefining identity outside football and co‑parenting with the woman he still calls his true love. The consequence for both is clear: they’ve built a new normal that prioritizes their children over tabloid drama, and that’s a rare win in celebrity breakups.

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