NFL icon Tom Brady has released an emotional statement confirming that he and supermodel Gisele Bundchen have divorced.
The couple, who have two children together, started dating back in December 2006 and were married in February 2009. Following months of speculation, Brady and Bundchen have now reached a settlement to end their marriage with documents set to be filed on Friday.
Lawyers for both parties reportedly worked with a mediator to iron out the details, including how to deal with properties and custody. They have now reached an agreement over the terms of the split and Brady took to Instagram to confirm the news.
His statement read: "In recent days, my wife and I finalised our divorce from one another after 13 years of marriage. We arrived at this decision amicably and with gratitude for the time we spent together. We are blessed with beautiful and wonderful children who will continue to be the centre of our world in every way. We will continue to work together as parents to always ensure they receive the love and attention they deserve.
"We arrived at this decision to end our marriage after much consideration.
"Doing so is, of course, painful and difficult, like it is for many people who go through the same thing every day around the world. However we wish only the best for each other as we pursue whatever new chapters in our lives that are yet to be written.
"And we kindly ask for privacy and respect as we navigate what is to come in the days and weeks ahead. Thank you"
The terms of the settlement will allegedly remain confidential and sealed. The divorce documents will also be filed in Florida, where Brady has lived following his move to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Bundchen also confirmed the news by releasing a statement of her own. She said: "With much gratitude for our time together, Tom and I have amicably finalised our divorce. My priority has always been and will continue to be our children whom I love with all my heart. We will continue co-parenting to give them the love, care and attention they greatly deserve.
"The decision to end a marriage is never easy but we have grown apart and while it is, of course, difficult to go through something like this, I feel blessed for the time we had together and only wish the best for Tom always.
"I kindly ask that our privacy be respected during this sensitive time. Thank you. Gisele."
Back in February, Brady - a seven-time Super Bowl champion - retired from the NFL after 22 years. However, he quickly reversed his decision and returned amid much fanfare before taking an unprecedented 11-day ‘leave of absence’ in the middle of training camp with the Buccaneers.
Bundchen revealed her frustrations with Brady’s decision to come out of retirement through an interview in March, noting she would like the four-time MVP to be ‘more present’ in family life. She also expressed concerns about the 45-year-old returning to the field for a 23rd campaign. Reports had suggested she had given him an ultimatum over whether to stay playing in the NFL or stay with her.
Brady’s performances this season have been a far cry from his 2021 form, where he led the NFL in passing yards with a career-high of 5,316 at age 44. Many, including ESPN analyst Rex Ryan, have pointed to the turmoil of his personal life as a contributing factor.
The Buccaneers have also struggled with injuries but they have ultimately failed to build momentum and Sunday’s loss to the hapless Carolina Panthers was perhaps the lowest moment of Brady’s career since joining the franchise in 2020. The Bucs then followed that up with defeat to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night, a fifth loss in six matches.
