Gisele Bündchen has opened up about her highly publicized divorce from NFL superstar Tom Brady, making it clear that the split was about far more than just football. In her candid cover story for Vanity Fair’s April 2023 issue, she addressed long-standing rumors that Brady’s refusal to retire was the cause of their marital breakdown.
According to Bündchen, the real story behind their 2022 divorce is deeper and more complex. She stated firmly that relationships are rarely about one single issue and that the end of their 13-year marriage was the result of multiple, evolving personal dynamics. Her comments aimed to correct widespread media assumptions and shed light on the emotional and spiritual journey that led to their separation.
One of the most prominent rumors surrounding the divorce was that Bündchen gave Brady an ultimatum to choose between football and their marriage. Bündchen flatly rejected that narrative, describing it as both “very hurtful” and “the craziest thing” she had ever heard. She emphasized that she has always supported Brady and his dreams, regardless of her own personal feelings or sacrifices.
Her words reflected a desire to put an end to the speculation that painted her as unsupportive or controlling. She added that the idea of being against football is not true and clarified that she genuinely wants Brady to be happy and achieve everything he has worked for. Rather than resentment, her words radiated respect and compassion for her former husband.
Bündchen explained that when they first met—she was 26 and he was 29—their values and life goals aligned. They shared a dream of creating a family, and for years they worked toward that together. However, as time passed, their individual desires and personal growth led them in different directions.
She called successful relationships a “dance” that requires balance and mutual effort. She suggested that sometimes, even when love is present, two people can grow apart when their life paths begin to diverge. This theme of personal evolution was central to her explanation of why their marriage ultimately ended.
Addressing the emotional toll of the separation, Bündchen admitted that the divorce felt like “the death of [her] dream.” Despite the heartbreak, she maintained that the decision to end the relationship was mutual and rooted in the desire for authenticity. She believes in living truthfully and being surrounded by people who support your genuine self.
For her, staying in a marriage that no longer reflected their shared goals would have been a denial of that truth. Her message was one of maturity and self-awareness, suggesting that parting ways does not necessarily mean failure or a lack of love.
After the divorce, Bündchen focused on rebuilding her life in a way that aligned with her core values. She moved to Miami with her children, Benjamin and Vivian, and took a hands-on approach to parenting, including homeschooling them. She turned toward practices that helped her heal and find peace—such as yoga, meditation, healthy eating, and spiritual growth.
Her personal transformation during this time also led her to become a wellness ambassador for Gaia Herbs, a company that reflects her passion for holistic living. She found solace in routines that grounded her and gave her a sense of purpose.
In her interview, Bündchen expressed gratitude for the years she spent with Brady and stated clearly that she has no regrets. She described their years together as meaningful and full of love. Although the marriage ended, she continues to respect and care for Brady as a co-parent and as someone she once deeply loved.
Their primary shared goal now is to support their children and maintain a healthy family dynamic. She believes in peaceful co-parenting and wants their children to see both parents living fulfilling, balanced lives. Her commitment to this ideal has shaped the way she approaches life after divorce.
Contrary to previous media reports, Bündchen said that politics played no role in their decision to split. She laughed off the idea that political disagreements had anything to do with it, labeling such speculation as pure fabrication. Throughout the interview, she emphasized that reducing their divorce to just one issue—whether politics or football—misses the nuance and humanity of their situation.
The decision to separate came from a deep recognition that they wanted different things out of life and were no longer aligned in the ways that mattered most. It was not a reactionary or dramatic break but rather the result of years of reflection and conversation.
The public first got wind of the marital issues in September 2022, when Page Six reported that the couple’s relationship was strained. Around that time, Bündchen made some cryptic comments in an interview with Elle, hinting at her growing need to prioritize her own goals and well-being. She said, “I’ve done my part, which is to be there for [my husband],” and added that she had a long list of personal aspirations that she had set aside for years.
At 42, she felt it was time to focus on her own purpose and direction. Her comments reflected a woman who was ready to reclaim her identity and pursue a life that fulfilled her beyond her role as a wife and mother.
Less than two months later, Bündchen and Brady announced via Instagram Stories that they had finalized their divorce. The posts were respectful and concise, each affirming their commitment to co-parenting and gratitude for their time together. It marked the end of one of the most watched marriages in sports and entertainment, but both parties handled it with dignity and restraint.
The divorce was settled privately, with no public battle over finances or custody, a sign of the mutual respect they still held for each other. It was clear that while their romantic relationship had ended, they still intended to function as a united parental team.
Brady, for his part, has also spoken about adjusting to life as a single father. In interviews since the divorce, he has discussed his efforts to balance his responsibilities as a parent while also figuring out the next steps in his career and personal life. His retirement in February 2023, after briefly returning to the NFL post-2021, seems to have finally marked the end of his playing career.
Both he and Bündchen are now focused on the future, each forging a path that reflects their individual passions and goals. Their divorce, while painful, appears to have been a catalyst for growth on both sides.
The Vanity Fair interview marked Bündchen’s first deep and personal discussion about the divorce, giving readers a glimpse into the emotional landscape of her decision. She came across not as a bitter ex or a jilted partner, but as a strong, grounded individual seeking peace and authenticity.
Her words challenged the simplistic narratives that often dominate celebrity divorces and showed the maturity with which she approached such a difficult transition. Bündchen’s account made it clear that sometimes, choosing to separate is the most loving thing two people can do—for themselves and for each other.
