Fans have long worried that there may be trouble in paradise for Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady— from rumors of them feuding last month to photos of the two taking separate vacations.
The supermodel, 42, just sat down for a new cover interview with Elle Magazine, and discussed her relationship with the NFL star, 45, and some of the obstacles they are both learning to overcome in their marriage.
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In the magazine’s October 2022 issue, Bündchen opened up about her concerns for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback’s safety while on the field, and her desire for him to be more “present” in their family activities.
“Obviously, I have my concerns—this is a very violent sport, and I have my children and I would like him to be more present,” she said. “I have definitely had those conversations with him over and over again. But ultimately, I feel that everybody has to make a decision that works for [them]. He needs to follow his joy, too.”
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An anonymous insider source reportedly told Entertainment Tonight that the Vogue cover girl and athlete (who share son Benjamin, 12, and daughter Vivian, 9) are living separately as they determine the next step in their marriage.
“Gisele has been telling Tom for a while he needs to spend more time with the family and after he retired, she thought she was getting what she asked for,” the source allegedly said. “Once Tom decided to go back to the NFL she was devastated. Gisele is very hurt.”
A second source supposedly expanded on this, telling ET, “Gisele is upset with Tom and wants some space right now. She is getting pushed to her limit. She has always supported Tom and has been there for him, but she is over it. She doesn’t think Tom has been himself lately.”
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According to another source who recently spoke to People Magazine, Bündchen “wasn’t thrilled” with her husband after he ended his retirement from professional football earlier this year after only two months, a source close to Brady supposedly told the outlet.
“There’s a lot of tension. She was so happy when he announced his retirement, and she wasn’t thrilled at all when he went back on that.” The insider reportedly continued, “They’re hitting a rough patch, but I know they’re trying, or at least he’s trying, to figure it out and make it work. He wants to get through this and for things to get better.”
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Rumors of a rift between the longtime couple have been swirling online ever since Brady was excused from practicing with his team in August “to deal with some personal things,” as head coach Todd Bowles said during a press conference soon after. Brady and the Buccaneers discussed his absence before the start of training camp in July, and the athlete returned to the team 11 days later.
“Everyone has different situations they’re dealing with, and we all have unique challenges to our lives,” Brady said to reporters regarding his time off, “I’m 45 years old, man.”He continued,”There’s a lot of s—t going on, so you just have to try and figure out life the best you can. You know, it’s a continuous process.”
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Brady and Bündchen tied the knot in 2009 after one month of being engaged, and wed at the St. Monica Catholic Church in California. The two have been married for 13 years, share two children, and Brady is also dad to son John “Jack” Edward, 15, whom he shares with his ex Bridget Moynahan.
Fans may recall on The Howard Stern Show in 2020, Brady discussed obstacles and struggles that he faced with Bündchen, and opened up about how in 2018, the model “wasn’t satisfied” with their marriage. “A couple of years ago, she didn’t feel like I was doing my part for the family,” he said.
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He went on, “She felt like I would play football all season and she would take care of the house, and then all of a sudden when the season ended, I’d be like, ‘Great, let me get into all of my other business activities. Let me get into my football training,’ and she’s sitting there going, ‘Well when are you going to do things for the house? When are you going to take the kids to school and do that?’”
Brady acknowledged that this moment served as a major wake-up call for him and it was a “big transition” in his life. After this, he focused more on his family. On his Let’s Go! podcast in October 2021, Brady mentioned how he saw Bündchen had to hold “down the house” while he embarked on his NFL career, and gave her credit for her own personal sacrifices for their family.
“I think there’s things that she wants to accomplish,” he said. “You know, she hasn’t worked as much in the last 10, 12 years just raising our family and kind of committing to being in a life in Boston and then moving to Florida.”
