Tom Brady reportedly discovered his ex-wife, Gisele Bündchen, had married jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente not from Bündchen herself, but from their children. This detail underscores the fractured nature of their post-divorce communication, revealing a relationship reduced to strictly co-parental interactions.
The Breakdown in Communication
According to sources cited by Rob Shuter’s Substack, Brady found out about the marriage via his and Bündchen’s children, Benjamin (16) and Vivian (13). The insider stated, “The kids told Tom… that’s how they communicate now.” This highlights the absence of a social relationship between the ex-couple, with discussions limited to parenting matters only. There is no friendly exchange or shared updates on personal lives.
Bündchen’s Perspective
Bündchen has publicly expressed a shift in her priorities following the divorce. In a September 2023 interview with CBS News Sunday Morning, she stated, “I’m in a different place in my life… before I was more surviving, and now I’m living.” This suggests a deliberate move toward prioritizing her happiness and well-being after years of what some perceive as Brady’s career-focused decisions taking precedence over family.
The Role of Brady’s Career Choices
The divorce followed a period of instability, including Brady’s brief retirement and subsequent return to the NFL, then a broadcasting job. Social media users have criticized Brady for prioritizing football and career over family, with one X user stating, “She wanted a guy that had nothing else to focus on except her.” This sentiment reflects a broader perception that Brady’s dedication to his career contributed to the breakdown of their marriage.
The Aftermath
Brady’s delayed awareness of Bündchen’s marriage through his children symbolizes the finality of their separation. While he may have been celebrated as a football icon, his handling of the relationship appears to have cost him in the eyes of public perception.
The situation underscores how personal choices – in this case, Brady’s career path – can have lasting consequences on family dynamics. The couple’s fractured communication suggests little desire for reconciliation or even basic courtesy outside of co-parenting.
