Gisele Bündchen: Divorce, New Baby at 44, Net Worth

Few celebrity splits leave as many unanswered questions as the one between Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady, but her story since then — a new baby at 44, a fresh relationship, and a quiet life in Costa Rica — reveals a deliberate reinvention. Here’s what’s confirmed, what’s still unclear, and how her net worth compares to her ex-husband’s.

Age at birth of third child: 44 years old (2024) ·
Marriage duration with Tom Brady: 13 years (2009-2022) ·
Children with Tom Brady: 2 (Benjamin Rein, b. 2009; Vivian Lake, b. 2012) ·
Net worth (estimated): $400 million (Gisele); $300 million (Tom Brady) ·
Partnership with Joaquim Valente: Confirmed in 2024

Here is a quick overview of Gisele Bündchen’s key facts.

Why Did Gisele Leave Brady?

Irreconcilable differences over Tom Brady’s return to football

• Tom Brady retired in February 2022, then unretired 40 days later (Fox News)
• Gisele had urged him to prioritize family and was reportedly “upset” by his decision (People)
• Concerns over football-related head injuries and time away from children (HuffPost)

Gisele’s desire for a quieter, family-centered life

• After divorce, Bündchen moved to Costa Rica with jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente (People)
• She told People in 2023: “It takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village to keep a marriage.”

The implication: Brady’s late-career football indecision became the breaking point for a marriage already strained by his schedule. Bündchen chose consistency over celebrity.

Who Is the Father of Gisele’s New Baby?

Joaquim Valente: jiu-jitsu instructor and partner

• Valente, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor, met Bündchen through his Miami-based academy (People)
• Multiple outlets confirmed he is the father of her third child, born in February 2025 (Newsweek; TMZ)
• The couple reportedly married in December 2025 in Florida (Page Six)

Timeline of their relationship from 2022

• 2022: First publicly seen together after Bündchen’s divorce from Brady
• 2023: Spent increasing time together in Costa Rica
• Early 2025: Birth of baby boy
• December 2025: Wedding in Florida (reported)

The pattern: Bündchen’s romantic timeline (DiCaprio → Brady → Valente) shows a steady move from spotlight to serenity. Valente represents the opposite of NFL glitz.

Who Is Richer, Tom Brady or Gisele?

Four key differences separate their financial profiles: net worth, income sources, earning peak, and asset structure.

• Gisele consistently ranked as the highest-paid model in the world for over a decade (Wikipedia)
• Brady’s net worth is tied more closely to earned income and endorsements, while Bündchen’s wealth is more asset-diversified across modeling residuals and real estate

The catch: Bündchen earned more than her husband for most of their marriage, a dynamic that shaped their household — and likely contributed to their divergent visions after his retirement reversal.

Did Leonardo DiCaprio Date Gisele?

Relationship timeline: 1999-2005 on-and-off

• Met at a fashion event; Gisele was 18, DiCaprio 24
• Dated with several breakups between 1999 and 2005 (Wikipedia)
• DiCaprio reportedly introduced her to the Hollywood inner circle, boosting her early visibility

The implication: Her relationship with DiCaprio launched her into the global celebrity orbit but also exposed her to the scrutiny she later tried to escape.

How Did Gisele Have a Baby at 44?

Natural pregnancy vs. assisted reproductive technology

• No confirmed use of fertility treatments — Bündchen has not publicly disclosed details (Newsweek)
• Bündchen has long advocated for holistic health, yoga, and natural living (Wikipedia)
• Her pregnancy at 44 is notable but not uncommon for fit, healthy women in their 40s

The trade-off: Being a mother at 44 brings wisdom and financial stability, but also higher physical demands. Bündchen has the resources to manage both, but many women without her privilege face harder choices.

Does Tom Brady Regret Divorcing Gisele?

Public statements by Tom Brady since the divorce

• Brady called the divorce “difficult” and emphasized co-parenting (Fox News)
• On The Howard Stern Show (2023): “There’s a lot of people that have difficult parts of their life, and that’s what we’re going through.”
• No explicit regret statement — described the split as “amicable” (Fox News)

Co-parenting dynamics with Benjamin and Vivian

• Both parents share custody of their two children
• Bündchen reportedly moved closer to Brady’s Miami residence to facilitate co-parenting (People)

The pattern: Brady’s public language is careful — he protects his image as a devoted father while deflecting personal blame. Whether that masks deeper regret remains speculation.

Timeline

• 1994 — Discovered at age 14 in a Brazilian fashion mall
• 1998 — First major runway show for Alexander McQueen
• 1999-2005 — On-and-off relationship with Leonardo DiCaprio
• December 29, 2009 — Married Tom Brady in Santa Monica, California
• December 8, 2009 — Birth of son Benjamin Rein Brady
• December 5, 2012 — Birth of daughter Vivian Lake Brady
• October 28, 2022 — Divorce from Tom Brady finalized (Fox News)
• 2022 — Publicly linked to Joaquim Valente
• February 2025 — Birth of third child with Valente at age 44 (Newsweek)

Quotes

“It takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village to keep a marriage.”

— Gisele Bündchen, People (2023)

“There’s a lot of people that have difficult parts of their life, and that’s what we’re going through.”

— Tom Brady, The Howard Stern Show (2023)

“Gisele is over the moon and living her dream life in Costa Rica with Joaquim.”

— Anonymous source, People (2024)

For Bündchen, the path forward is no longer about celebrity partnerships. It’s about sovereignty — a quieter life with three children, a husband who teaches jiu-jitsu, and a net worth that puts her firmly in control. For Brady, the trade-off is clear: he kept football, but lost the woman who wanted him home.

Frequently asked questions