When the Brazilian supermodel signed her son Benjamin up for martial arts classes at the Valente Brothers academy in North Miami in 2021, she didnโt expect it would change her life.
At the heart of this transformation was instructor Joaquim Valente. While Bรผndchen was still married to NFL legend Tom Brady at the time, she became increasingly drawn to both the discipline of jiu-jitsu and her growing friendship with Valente.
In a 2022 interview, she called the experience a โjourney of self-discovery,โ and soon after, her Instagram featured clips of her training sessions with Joaquimโfueling public speculation about their relationship. By the time her divorce from Brady was finalized in October 2022, the rumors were already swirling.
A Quiet Romance Turns Public
Though they kept their connection private for quite some time, Bรผndchen and Valente eventually went public in February 2024. Still, insiders and fans had long suspected there was more than friendship between the two.
Gisele has been clear in denying that there was any crossover between her relationships, shutting down affair rumors as โa lieโ and openly speaking about her choice to leave what she described as an โunhealthy relationship.โ
Since then, Bรผndchen has taken a noticeable step back from the spotlight, settling into a more grounded lifestyle in Miami. Now living in an $11.5 million waterfront mansion in the quiet neighborhood of Surfside, sheโs rarely seen beyond the privacy of her street.
Her appearances are few and far between, but she made headlines in Thanksgiving 2023 after casually joining Joaquimโs family at a buffet in Bal Harbour, effortlessly blending in and winning praise for her humility and relaxed presence.
Motherhood, Miami, and a New Baby Boy
In late 2024, Gisele confirmed yet another life changeโshe was pregnant. She welcomed her third child, a baby boy, in February 2025. While sheโs kept his first name private, it was revealed that his middle name is River, continuing the nature-inspired naming trend shared by her two older children: Benjamin Rein and Vivian Lake.
Gisele has since been spotted enjoying walks with her dog, cradling her newborn in a baby carrier, appearing at ease in her new role. It’s a far cry from the glamour of international fashion weeks, but for Bรผndchen, this grounded and serene lifestyle appears to be exactly what she was searching for.
