Supermodel Gisele Bündchen has reportedly entered into a new relationship following her divorce from Tom Brady. According to People, Bündchen is dating professional jiu-jitsu trainer Joaquim Valente. Valente and Bündchen were friends before becoming romantically involved.
In March 2024, she finally confirmed for herself that she and Valente are together. In an interview with The New York Times, Bündchen said, “This is the first time I am seeing someone that was a friend of mine first. It’s very different. It is very honest, and it’s very transparent.”
So how did they meet...and how did their love story later begin? Ahead, a timeline of their relationship and everything you need to know about Valente.
They’ve been dating since June 2023.
According to People, Bündchen and Valente were together for over half a year before news of their relationship broke in February 2024.
“They’ve been dating since June. They’re taking it slow,” a source revealed. “They started out as great friends first. She’s very private about this and wanted to keep it quiet while they got to know each other.”
“They started out as friends,” a second insider told People. “He was a huge comfort for Gisele while she went through her divorce. Their friendship turned romantic after the divorce.”
“Joaquim is a great guy,” they added. “He is down to earth, kind, and inspiring. Gisele was hesitant about dating after the divorce. It’s been very natural for her to date Joaquim.”
Bündchen also “loves that he is Brazilian” like her, the source furthered. “They come from similar backgrounds. They both left Brazil very young. They have both created amazing lives for themselves in the U.S. They both love Miami, but also enjoy traveling. They both enjoy healthy living. Gisele’s in a great space. She is happy and very much enjoying life. Joaquim is perfect for her.”
As friends, they took trips together and were photographed in Costa Rica during November 2022 and January 2023.
Before they started dating, they were good friends who were photographed vacationing together multiple times.
Per Daily Mail, Bündchen and Valente were seen going for a jog in Costa Rica in January 2023. A source shut down dating rumors then, saying “he’s been her kids’ jiu-jitsu teacher for years. There’s no truth to the rumors that they’re dating.”
On Nov. 16, 2022, Page Six obtained photographs of Bündchen and Valente on a trip to Costa Rica too, this time with her children—and his jiu-jitsu students—Benjamin Rein, 13, and Vivian Lake, 10.
He is a jiu-jitsu trainer who has worked with Bündchen and her family for years.
Bündchen can thank her preteen son for her relationship with Valente. He is one-third of the Valente Brothers, and they are co-founders of a jiu-jitsu academy in Miami. In 2021, Bündchen signed her son up for classes at the martial arts school. After taking him to his first class and speaking with Valente, she decided to enroll herself.
On Feb. 23, 2023, Bündchen posted an Instagram Reel of her sparring in the Valente Brothers’ studio.
“I believe the more tools we have in our toolbox the better. I feel stronger, more confidence and empowered since I started practicing self-defense. I feel it’s an important skill for all, but specially for us women. Thank you @ValenteBrothers for being awesome teachers and for making training so much fun. I am looking forward to keep improving. Let’s go! 🤛🏼,” she wrote in the caption.
Valente has been studying jiu-jitsu since he was two years old.
In February, they were seen together in Miami.
On Friday, February 23, Bündchen was seen visiting Valente at his home in Miami. The model was carrying an ice bucket as she walked into his apartment building, wearing a white sweatshirt, gray leggings, and white sneakers. She had on a pale green baseball cap to keep the Florida sun out of her eyes and wore a black shoulder bag with gold hardware over one shoulder.
Bündchen has debunked rumors she cheated on Tom Brady with Valente.
In Bünchen's March 2024 interview with the NYT, she addressed rumors that she was seeing Valente before her divorce from Tom Brady, saying, “That is a lie.”
“This is something that happens to a lot of women who get blamed when they have the courage to leave an unhealthy relationship and are labeled as being unfaithful,” Bundchen continued. “They have to deal with their communities. They have to deal with their family. Of course for me, it just happens to be a little bit amplified.”
Valente has a criminology degree.
In 2007, Valente moved to Miami to study criminology at Barry University.
Valente’s Instagram account is private.
If you were hoping to get some Insta-stalking in, you’ll be disappointed. Valente does have an Instagram account, but he has it set to private currently.
Valente released a cookbook in March 2024 with Gisele's support.
On Wednesday, March 27, Bündchen was accompanied by Valente at the launch of her new cookbook, Nourish, their first public outing as a couple. In photos shared by Entertainment Tonight, Valente is chatting with guests at The Hub in Miami Beach and Bündchen is speaking from the stage about the new book and some personal anecdotes.
One fan asked what meal she turns to after a “hard day or breakup.”
The answer was ice cream.
Later on, Bündchen thanked Valente and his brothers for teaching her about “food spacing and food combining.”
