Close friends or something else? Rumors are swirling about Gisele Bündchen after she was spotted with Joaquim Valente on vacation in Costa Rica following her split from Tom Brady.
According to photos obtained by Page Six on Saturday, Nov. 12, the couple share the model’s children, Benjamin, 12, and Vivian, 9 — whom she shares with the NFL superstar. Bündchen has yet to comment on the photos.
Meanwhile, a source exclusively told Us Weekly that Bündchen and the jiu-jitsu instructor “have known each other for two years” and previously worked together in a 2021 photo shoot for Dust magazine.
Redemption for the former Victoria’s Secret Angel came after her and Brady’s divorce was finalized after more than a decade together. “Decisions to end a marriage are never easy but we have separated and while it is certainly difficult to go through something like this, I feel blessed for the time we had together and wish Tom the best always.” Bündchen wrote via her Instagram Story in October.
A month before the former couple’s announcement, Us confirmed that Brady and Bündchen were “living separately” after the quarterback decided to return to the NFL rather than follow through on his plans to retire. The Brazilian model opened up about her former dedication to the sport in an October 2022 interview with Elle.
“I’ve done my part, which is to be there for [Tom],” Bündchen shared at the time. “I moved to Boston, and I focused on creating a cocoon and loving environment for my children to grow up and support them and their dreams there.”
She continued: “Obviously, I have my concerns [with him returning to football] – it’s a very violent game, and I have children and I want him to be more present. I’ve certainly had those conversations with him over and over again. But ultimately, I think everyone has to make a decision that works [for them]. He also needs to follow his bliss.”
The former Super Bowl champion shared that he has “zero” regrets about his decision to return to the game, though sources said his return to the field was partly to blame for the end of his marriage.
“I came back because I felt like I wanted to compete, and I talked to the team about it, and they were excited to have me back,” the athlete told ESPN on Friday, November 11. Things – I think when I commit to it, I mean it, and I do my best and try to give everything I can to this special occasion.”
Scroll through for five things to know about Valente:
Where is Joaquim Valente from?
Valente grew up in Rio de Janeiro but moved to Miami to study at Barry University.
What does Joachim Valente do?
According to his LinkedIn page, Valente is a professor at Valente Brothers Jiu-Jitsu.
How does Joachim Valente know Gisele Bundchen?
The pair worked together during a 2021 spread on Dust magazine. In February, Bündchen shared a video via her Instagram with a martial artist’s studio promoting self-defense exercises.
“I believe the more tools we have in our toolbox, the better. I feel stronger, more confident, and empowered since I started practicing self-defense,” she captioned it. “I think it’s an important skill for everyone, but especially us women. Thank you @ValenteBrothers for being a great teacher and making training so much fun. I look forward to continuing to improve. Let’s go!”
Is Joaquim Valente close with his family?
Yes, the Rio de Janeiro native and his brothers learned Brazilian martial arts from their father at a young age, and the brothers run a Florida-based jiu-jitsu studio.
Who did Joaquim Valente teach Jiu-Jitsu to?
In addition to modeling, Valente has instructed agents from the FBI, Secret Service, Miami Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies on self-defense techniques.