Gisele Bündchen is reflecting on life after her split from Tom Brady.
It’s been a year since speculation first started swirling that the pair were headed for divorce after Tom was granted 11 days off from the Buccaneers’ preseason training camp to “deal with some personal things” last August.
In the weeks that followed, it became more and more evident that the two were quietly preparing for a separation, and by Oct. 28, the couple announced that they’d officially divorced after nearly 14 years of marriage.
Speaking about their split for the first time in March, Gisele emphasized that she and Tom remain friendly as coparents to their children, Benjamin, 13, and Vivian, 10, telling Vanity Fair that they’re always going to be a “team.”
“Sometimes you grow together; sometimes you grow apart,” she explained to the outlet. “As time goes by, we realize that we just wanted different things, and now we have a choice to make.”
She added: “That doesn’t mean you don’t love the person. It just means that in order for you to be authentic and truly live the life that you want to live, you have to have somebody who can meet you in the middle, right? It’s a dance. It’s a balance.”
And now, 10 months since their divorce was finalized, Gisele has opened up about how she’s maintained such a positive mindset throughout the split.
In a brand new cover interview for Vogue Brazil, the supermodel admitted that while the public scrutiny surrounding their divorce made things tough, she believes everything happens for a reason.
“I've always trusted that every situation, no matter how challenging, has something to teach us and happens for our growth,” the English translation reads. “Breakups are never easy, especially when there's a whole media speculating every step of the way.”
“I tried to focus on my children, my health and my projects and dreams,” she went on.
In the months since she and Tom divorced, Gisele has shut down speculation about her love life — namely, rumors that she’s dating her jiu-jitsu instructor, Joaquim Valente. And once again, she’s making it clear that she’s prioritizing herself for now.
“I work on myself every day and put all my love into everything I do,” she said, reflecting on her legacy. “I hope I can become a better and more aware person and continue to spread love wherever I go.”
Of course, Gisele’s new cover interview comes just weeks after Tom was romantically linked to Irina Shayk.
After the two were photographed sharing a brief moment of PDA in Los Angeles in July, TMZ reported they are officially dating.
Neither Tom or Irina have confirmed the relationship, however, the retired NFL star opened up about embarking on the “next chapter” of his life in an Instagram post off the back of his 46th birthday last week.
“What an incredible trip to the most amazing continent…Africa,” he captioned a carousel of vacation photos with his daughter Vivian, and son Jack, whom he shares with ex, Bridget Moynahan. “It was another special reminder that life is TRULY about relationships and memories.”
“This past week of my birthday I have had much time to reflect and be grateful for all the incredible blessings,” he continued. “I’ve experienced quite a bit in the first 45 years I have lived, and what I have loved most is the people who I have shared the most life changing events with….my children, my family, my loved ones and friends and all of you have added so much to this incredible/adventurous life.”
Subtly supporting her ex, Gisele left a prayer hands emoji in the comments section.
