Why did Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen get divorced?

In October 2022, NFL great Tom Brady and supermodel Gisele Bündchen confirmed that they had decided to divorce, bringing an end to 13 years of marriage.

Brady and Bündchen had “grown apart”

In a social-media post announcing their split, Brady said he and Bündchen “arrived at this decision amicably and with gratitude for the time we spent together”. He added that their children were their priority, and that they planned to “work together as parents” to “ensure they receive the love and attention they deserve.”

In a similar statement, in which she also stressed that their children’s well-being would be their focus, Bündchen explained that she and Brady had “grown apart”. “While it is, of course, difficult to go through something like this, I feel blessed for the time we had together,” the 43-year-old said.

Brady and Bündchen have two children together: son Benjamin, 14, and daughter Vivian, 11. They also parent Brady’s first child, 16-year-old son Jack, who the seven-time Super Bowl winner had with former girlfriend Bridget Moynahan.

Brady retirement reversal contributes to split

The rift that grew between Brady and Bündchen appears, in no small measure, to have been sparked by the former quarterback’s decision to come out of retirement in March 2022, just 40 days after announcing he was putting down his helmet.

In the wake of Brady’s U-turn, he and Bündchen reportedly had an “epic fight”. She is said to have moved out of their Tampa Bay house to go to Costa Rica, before spending time living in separate residences owned by the family.

The legendary model “was so happy when he announced his retirement, and she wasn’t thrilled at all when he went back on that,” a source revealed to People magazine. Meanwhile, an insider told Entertainment Tonight: “Gisele feels like Tom has chosen his career over his family and she is tired of it. She also has her own dreams and aspirations and doesn’t want to have to keep putting her goals on hold.”

Gisele had “concerns” about Brady’s NFL return

In an interview with Elle magazine one month before the couple’s divorce was announced, Bündchen said she felt Brady needed to “follow his joy” by reversing his retirement decision, but spoke of her misgivings about the move.

“Obviously, I have my concerns,” Bündchen said. “This is a very violent sport, and I have my children and I would like him to be more present. I have definitely had those conversations with him over and over again. But ultimately, I feel that everybody has to make a decision that works for [them]. He needs to follow his joy, too.”

Brady divorce “not what I dreamed of” - Bündchen

In an interview with CBS the following September, nearly a year after the couple’s break-up, Bündchen said she had gone into her marriage hoping to emulate her parents’ long-lasting relationship, but reiterated her initial assessment that she and Brady had no longer been pulling in the same direction.

Divorce “is not what I dreamed of and what I hoped for,” said the Brazilian, who is now reported to be dating Jiu-Jitsu pro Joaquim Valente. “My parents have been married for 50 years and I really wanted that to happen.

“But I think you have to accept sometimes that the way you are in your 20s, sometimes you grow together, sometimes you grow apart.”