After 13 years of marriage, NFL star Tom Brady and supermodel Gisele Bündchen have finalized their divorce, both announcing the news on social media on Friday morning.
In a statement, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback, 45, said he and Bündchen, 42, made their decision “amicably and with gratitude for the time we spent together.” He went on to say that they would continue to collaborate as parents.
“The decision to end a marriage is never easy, but we have grown apart,” Bündchen said in an Instagram statement. “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.”
After two years of dating, Brady and Bündchen married in a small ceremony in Santa Monica, California, in February 2009. Benjamin, 12, and Vivian, 9, are their two children. Brady also has a 15-year-old son named John from a previous relationship with actress Bridget Moynihan. Bündchen described John as her “bonus child.”
Brady and Bündchen are regarded as the best in their fields.
Brady spent 20 seasons with the New England Patriots, winning six Super Bowls and three MVP awards. He joined the Buccaneers in 2020 and led them to their first championship in 18 years during his first season, his seventh Super Bowl victory. The 5-time Super Bowl MVP and 15-time Pro Bowler briefly retired in February but decided to return for a 23rd NFL season in March.
Bündchen, a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 1999 to 2006, is one of the world’s most powerful supermodels. She topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid models in 2012. Bündchen has since become involved in philanthropy, championing environmental causes.
Brady and Bündchen met on a blind date in 2006, shortly after Brady divorced Moynihan, who later discovered she was pregnant. In 2005, Bündchen ended a five-year relationship with actor Leonardo DiCaprio.
Bündchen stated in her 2018 book “Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life” that Brady “is someone you can count on.” It’s a trait I hadn’t noticed in any of my previous romantic relationships. I adore my husband, and most importantly, I trust him. With Tom, who provides our family with a stable foundation, I’m able to create a home.”
Rumors about their relationship began to circulate in August, after Brady missed 11 days of training camp due to personal issues. “Man, I’m 45 years old. A lot of (expletive) is going on. “You just have to figure out life as best you can,” Brady explained.
“I’ve done my part, which was to be present” (Brady). I relocated to Boston with the intention of creating a safe haven and a loving environment for my children to grow up in, as well as to be there to support him and his dreams. It makes me happy to see my children succeed and grow into the beautiful little humans that they are, and to see him succeed and be fulfilled in his career. At this point in my life, I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot.”
Bündchen, on the other hand, stated that she has “”This is a very violent sport, and I have my children, and I would like him to be more present,” Brady said of continuing his career. I’ve definitely had those conversations with him numerous times.”
Brady has spoken in recent years about the difficulties of juggling a professional football career and spending time with family. Brady admitted to Howard Stern in 2020 that he needed to “check himself” because Bündchen “didn’t feel I was doing my part for the family.”
“She felt like I would play football all season and she would take care of the house. And all of a sudden, the season would end, and I’d be like, ‘Great, let me get into all my business activities and football training,” he said. “She wasn’t satisfied with our marriage.”
Following his Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV victory in 2021, Brady revealed on “Late, Late Show With James Corden” that Bündchen asked him, “What else do you have to prove?”
