California-born Tom Brady’s ex-wife, Gisele Bündchen, is one of the highest-paid models in the world and has been the 16th-richest woman in the entertainment industry in 2007.

The Brazilian fashion model has opened up about her parents’ significant influence on her life.

Gisele Bundchen began her modeling career in 1995, relocating to Sao Paulo, and debuted at New York Fashion Week in 1996.

She was rejected 42 times in London before appearing in Alexander McQueen’s runway show in 1998. She was dissatisfied with Elite Model Management and signed with IMG Models in 1999.

Her first British Vogue cover was Vogue Paris. She was also featured on an i-D magazine cover profiling “A Girl Called Gisele.” From 1999 until 2006, she was a Victoria’s Secret Angel.

Moreover, Gisele is mainly recognized as the creator of the horse walk, a stomping movement in which models lift their knees and kick their feet to step.

She has appeared on over 1,200 magazine covers, and in 2007, Claudia Schiffer called her the only remaining supermodel.

Gisele Bündchen’s Parents Encouraged Her To Pursue Modeling

Gisele Caroline Bündchen, the daughter of Vânia Nonnenmacher and Valdir Bündchen, was born on July 20, 1980, in Horizontina, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

She is a sixth-generation German Brazilian who grew up with her five sisters, Raquel, Graziela, Patrícia, Gabriela, and Rafaela. Her family is Catholic.

Gisele’s parents strongly emphasized family values, teaching their children the importance of respect, love, and solidarity. They also instilled a sense of responsibility in their children.

A mathematics graduate and bank clerk, Vania enrolled her daughters in a modeling course to teach them confidence and better posture.

After completing the course, she rewarded her daughters with a trip to Curitiba, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro, where Elite Model Management discovered Gisele at a shopping center.

Sadly, her mother passed away due to cancer at 75 on January 28, 2024, and the supermodel shared a heartfelt tribute.

Beloved mom,
It hurts to know that I won’t be able to hug you anymore, but I know that you will always be watching over us. You were an angel on earth, always helping everyone around you. I am so grateful to be your daughter and to have learned from you. Thank you for being the best role model of love, strength, compassion, courage, and grace.

Gisele Bündchen

Gisele will forever cherish their shared beautiful memories and live by the values Vania taught her. Her mother will live forever through the many lives that she touched.

On the other hand, Valdir is a sociologist, economist, and writer who supported his daughter’s desire to pursue a modeling career.

He provided the emotional and financial support she required to fulfill her ambitions. His encouragement provided a solid foundation for her to overcome obstacles.

Nonetheless her parents speak German, but she left speaking the language even though she learned it in school. She is fluent in English, Portuguese, French, Spanish, and Italian.

Tom Brady And Gisele Bündchen Ended Their 13 Years Of Marriage

Ed Razek, then CMO of L Brands and a mutual friend of Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen, introduced them on a blind date, and they began dating in December 2006.

Tom Brady is a former American professional football quarterback who played his first 20 seasons with the New England Patriots and has won seven Super Bowl championships in his athletic career.

Tom Brady’s wife filed for divorce and demanded half of his property. However, she was told by the court that her ‘MILLIONAIRE’ husband owns nothing.

All of his property is registered under his mother’s name. pic.twitter.com/9fWTllWMRv

— juju 💰 (@ayeejuju) August 13, 2024

After dating for a couple of years, they married in a small ceremony on February 26, 2009, at St. Monica Catholic Church in Santa Monica, California.

Additionally, the lovebirds had a lavish second ceremony in April 2009 at Gisele’s home in Costa Rica.

They have two children, Benjamin Rein Brady, born on December 8, 2009, and Vivian Lake Brady, born on December 5, 2012.

Similarly, Gisele became the stepmother of Brady’s first son, John “Jack” Edward Thomas Moynahan, born on August 22, 2007, with actress Bridget Moynahan.

The married couple walked the red carpet at the Met Gala in May 2008 without worrying to show some Public Display of Affection (PDA).

However, their 13-year marriage ended on October 28, 2022, when the court declared it dissolved and irretrievably broken.

Some sources have claimed that their relationship built tension when Tom returned to football after prematurely announcing his retirement.

Gisele didn’t hate that he was playing football, but she hated the way he handled the retirement.

Afterward, she dated Jiu-Jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente and announced her pregnancy with their first child in October 2024.

Additional Information

• Gisele Bündchen is a philanthropist and has been a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Program since 2009.
• In February 2013, she became the face of Chanel’s makeup line, Les Beiges, and in December 2013, she became Pantene’s ambassador.
• Her net worth is estimated at $400 million, and she earns $40 million annually as of 2024.