Who Is Tom Brady’s Ex Wife?
Tom Brady’s ex-wife is Gisele Bündchen, a Brazilian supermodel and entrepreneur born on July 20, 1980, in Horizontina, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Tom Brady is widely regarded as the greatest NFL quarterback of all time, having won seven Super Bowl championships across his 23-season career with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Together, Brady and Gisele were one of the most famous couples in the world — a combination of athletic greatness and runway royalty. In this article, we dive deep into Gisele’s life, her extraordinary career, how she met Brady, the story of their marriage, their children, and what life looks like for her today.
Who Is Gisele Bündchen? Early Life and Background
Full Name: Gisele Caroline Bündchen
Date of Birth: July 20, 1980
Birthplace: Horizontina, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Nationality: Brazilian
Gisele Caroline Bündchen was born in the small southern Brazilian city of Horizontina into a large, close-knit family. She is one of six sisters, including her fraternal twin, Patrícia. Her father, Valdir Bündchen, was a university professor and writer, while her mother, Vânia Nonnenmacher, worked as a bank clerk. The family is of German-Brazilian descent — her grandfather and great-grandfather were German immigrants who settled in southern Brazil, a detail that adds a unique cultural richness to her background.
Growing up, Gisele was not the obvious candidate for global superstardom. She was tall, lanky, and self-conscious, often teased by classmates who nicknamed her “Olive Oyl,” after the cartoon character. Her childhood dream was actually to become a professional volleyball player, not a model.
That all changed during a school trip to São Paulo in 1993. At just 13 years old, a scout from Elite Model Management spotted her at a shopping mall and saw something extraordinary in her. Despite her initial reluctance, her mother encouraged her to explore the opportunity. Gisele enrolled in a modeling course and, at 15, entered the Elite Model Look competition, finishing second nationally.
For her education, Gisele attended a public school in Horizontina and later pursued a brief course in economics at the Universidade de Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC) before fully committing to her modeling career.
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Gisele Bündchen’s Career and Professional Life
Gisele Bündchen is not just a model — she is widely considered one of the greatest supermodels in fashion history, and certainly among the wealthiest.
Her professional breakthrough arrived at New York Fashion Week in 1996. After facing 42 rejections in London, designer Alexander McQueen cast her in his landmark 1998 spring show, where she walked the rain-soaked runway in a sheer top and stunned the fashion world. That single appearance is credited by Vogue with helping end the “heroin chic” era of modeling and ushering in a healthier, more athletic aesthetic — often called the “Brazilian wave.”
By 1999, Gisele had become a Victoria’s Secret Angel, a role she held until 2006. She signed a staggering $25 million contract with the brand and became its most iconic face. She appeared on more than 2,000 magazine covers, walked 800+ runway shows, and featured in over 550 advertising campaigns throughout her career.
Beyond modeling, Gisele has built a true business empire:
- Ipanema Sandals – An equity partnership with Brazilian footwear brand Grendene that has sold over 250 million pairs.
- Sejaa Pure Skincare – An eco-friendly skincare line launched in 2011.
- Gisele Bündchen Brazilian Intimates – A lingerie line under the Hope brand.
- Palladium Executive Hotel – A luxury property co-owned in Brazil.
- Books – Her 2018 memoir Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life became a New York Times bestseller. She co-authored Nourish, a cookbook that reached #2 on the New York Times bestseller list in April 2024.
She retired from runway work in 2015 but remains active in brand campaigns and environmental advocacy. She serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme.
Net Worth: As of 2025, Gisele Bündchen’s net worth is estimated at $400 million, making her wealthier than ex-husband Tom Brady. She outearned Brady during their marriage years, earning over $500 million from modeling and endorsements alone across her career.
How Did Tom Brady and Gisele Meet?
Even powerhouse love stories have humble beginnings — and for Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen, it started with a blind date.
In December 2006, the two were introduced by a mutual friend, Ed Razek, who was then the Chief Marketing Officer of L Brands (parent company of Victoria’s Secret). It was an instant connection. Brady later recalled that he was immediately captivated by Gisele’s warmth and intelligence, not just her looks.
However, the early days of the relationship came with a major complication. Just two months after they began dating, in February 2007, Brady informed Gisele that his ex-girlfriend, actress Bridget Moynahan, was pregnant with his child. The news went public the very next day, sending shockwaves through the media.
Gisele later wrote candidly about the moment in her memoir Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life, saying that her world felt “turned upside down.” Yet, rather than walking away, she chose to stand by Brady. In August 2007, Moynahan gave birth to son John “Jack” Edward Thomas. Gisele embraced her role as Jack’s stepmother, later describing him as a “bonus child” who made her heart expand in ways she didn’t know were possible.
The couple’s relationship deepened through this difficult period. Gisele has said it actually made her trust Brady more — she saw his integrity and good heart during a complicated time. By 2008, the couple were firmly together and beginning to plan their future.
Marriage and Wedding Details
Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen’s wedding was as elegant and understated as the woman herself.
On February 26, 2009, the couple married in a small, intimate ceremony at St. Monica Catholic Church in Santa Monica, California. The wedding reportedly took just 10 days to plan and was kept deliberately private, with only close family and friends in attendance. True to their personalities, they avoided a massive celebrity spectacle.
But one ceremony wasn’t enough. In April 2009, the couple held a second wedding celebration in Costa Rica, surrounded by lush tropical scenery and their nearest and dearest. The Costa Rica celebration was reportedly more relaxed and festive in tone, giving the couple a chance to celebrate in the warm, barefoot style Gisele preferred.
At the time of their marriage, Brady had already won three Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots, while Gisele was widely considered the biggest supermodel in the world. Together, they were arguably the most glamorous couple in America — a perfect pairing of athletic excellence and fashion royalty.
They were married for 13 years, making their union one of the longest in the celebrity world before their divorce.
Children and Family Life
Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen are parents to two children together:
- Benjamin Rein Brady — born December 8, 2009
- Vivian Lake Brady — born December 5, 2012
Both children had home births, reflecting Gisele’s deep commitment to natural, holistic living. In addition to their two biological children, Gisele embraced her role as a stepmother to Brady’s son with Bridget Moynahan, Jack, who was born in August 2007.
During their marriage, the family lived primarily in the Boston area while Brady played for the New England Patriots, and later relocated to Tampa, Florida, when he joined the Buccaneers. Gisele, a sun-loving Brazilian at heart, famously joked about the brutal New England winters, saying she’d rather live “barefoot in a hut in the middle of the forest.”
Family was deeply important to both of them. Brady has spoken about wanting his children to remain grounded despite their privileged upbringing. Gisele, for her part, has said motherhood fundamentally changed her worldview, deepening her commitment to environmental causes and sustainability.
The couple finalized their divorce on October 28, 2022, citing irreconcilable differences — largely related to Brady’s dedication to football, including his decision to un-retire in early 2022. Despite the split, both parents remain committed co-parents to Benjamin and Vivian.
Since the divorce, Gisele has moved on and welcomed a new chapter in her life. She began dating Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente in June 2023 and in February 2025, they welcomed a baby boy together. The couple married on December 3, 2025, in an intimate ceremony at their home in Surfside, Florida.
Gisele Bündchen on Social Media
Gisele Bündchen is very active on social media, particularly Instagram, where she has amassed over 21 million followers. Her Instagram is a window into her world — blending stunning professional photoshoots with personal glimpses of her family life, her love of nature, and her environmental advocacy work.
She regularly shares content related to sustainability, plant-based wellness, and outdoor living. Gisele uses her platform to promote causes she deeply cares about, including reforestation in Brazil, clean water initiatives, and anti-food-waste campaigns. She also documents her fitness routines — which include yoga and Pilates — her travels, and heartfelt moments with her children.
You can follow her on Instagram at @gisele.
Quick Facts: Gisele Bündchen
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gisele Caroline Bündchen |
| Date of Birth | July 20, 1980 |
| Birthplace | Horizontina, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Profession | Supermodel, Entrepreneur, Author, Environmental Activist |
| Married to | Tom Brady (divorced); now married to Joaquim Valente (2025) |
| Marriage Year (Brady) | 2009 |
| Divorce Year | 2022 |
| Children | Benjamin Rein Brady (2009), Vivian Lake Brady (2012), one child with Joaquim Valente (2025) |
| Net Worth | $400 million (est. 2025) |
| @gisele |
FAQ: Tom Brady’s Ex-Wife Gisele Bündchen
Q: What is Tom Brady’s ex-wife’s name?
A: Tom Brady’s ex-wife is Gisele Bündchen, a world-famous Brazilian supermodel and entrepreneur. The couple were married from February 2009 until their divorce was finalized in October 2022.
Q: How old is Gisele Bündchen?
A: Gisele Bündchen was born on July 20, 1980, making her 45 years old as of 2025. She was born and raised in Horizontina, a small city in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Q: What does Gisele Bündchen do for a living?
A: Gisele Bündchen is a supermodel, entrepreneur, and author. She is one of the highest-paid models in history, has her own line of sandals, skincare, and lingerie, and has authored two bestselling books.
Q: When did Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen get married?
A: Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen first married on February 26, 2009, in a small ceremony at St. Monica Catholic Church in Santa Monica, California. They held a second celebration in Costa Rica in April 2009.
Q: How many kids do Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen have?
A: Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen have two children together — son Benjamin Rein, born in 2009, and daughter Vivian Lake, born in 2012. Gisele also stepped up as stepmother to Brady’s son Jack from his relationship with Bridget Moynahan.
Conclusion
Gisele Bündchen is far more than just Tom Brady’s ex-wife — she is a global icon in her own right. From her humble beginnings in a small Brazilian town to becoming the world’s highest-paid supermodel for over a decade, Gisele’s story is one of extraordinary talent, resilience, and vision. With an estimated net worth of $400 million, a thriving business portfolio, two beloved children, and a new chapter in her personal life, she continues to inspire millions around the world. While her time as Tom Brady’s ex-wife may define her in search results, her legacy is defined by so much more. Gisele Bündchen remains one of the most remarkable women of her generation.
