Tom Brady was reluctant to divorce his ex-wife Gisele Bündchen because he feared having to endure the same co-parenting struggles he faced after his divorce from Bridget Moynahan, insiders claim.
The NFL legend, 46, and Brazilian beauty Gisele, 43 – who have two children together, announced in October 2022 that they were divorcing after 13 years of marriage.
But despite both moving on with new partners, Gisele broke down earlier this week when she compared their split to “the death of a dream” and admitted it was a challenge keeping Benjamin, 14, and Vivian, 11, in separate homes to educate.
Now sources claim Tom did not want to end the marriage because he feared a recurrence of the marriage ‘stressful’ experience of raising children with another ex-partner.
Tom Brady was reluctant to divorce ex-wife Gisele Bündchen, fearing he would face the complexities of co-parenting, insiders claim
The pair share Benjamin, 14, and Vivian, 11, while Tom is also dad to Jack, 16, who he shares with his ex-girlfriend, actress Bridget Moynahan
“Tom would agree that co-parenting hasn’t been easy,” an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively. “A lot of love has been lost in their relationship and navigating that and their careers and finding new love hasn’t been easy.
“It’s safe to say Tom and Gisele never expected to break up.”
Tom also shares Jack, 16, with his ex-girlfriend Bridget. The couple split in December 2007, just months before he started dating Gisele.
The source continued, “He never wanted a divorce, especially since his relationship with Bridget ended, and it took some time to move from that to a place of good co-parenting. It was stressful having to do it all again.”
The source emphasized that the former couple could eventually find their feet, adding: “It’s just a sad situation because the family is so important to both of them and the fact that it’s not a complete family brings a lot of difficulties .
“Like everything, they’ll get there because they don’t get back together anymore, but Gisele and Tom have gone through a lot of heartache to be where they are now, and it’s better than before by leaps and bounds.”
The estranged couple reportedly feels they are reaching a particularly “interesting” time as co-parents as their children become young adults.
“As much as it’s not ideal, they’re both determined to get there one way or another,” they said. “They both agree that their children’s best interests matter, and (Gisele) wasn’t lying when she said they have good days and bad days. It’s a process, especially in the public eye.’
Insiders have claimed that the duo has struggled to find the balance when it comes to co-parenting their brood
Gisele, 43, started dating the football star, 46, in 2007 before they tied the knot in 2009. They announced they were getting divorced in October 2022 (photo in 2013)
Gisele was clearly struggling with the fallout from their divorce and broke down during an interview with Good Morning America on Thursday.
Anchor Robin Roberts asked how she was doing, to which Gisele replied, “well, when you say…” before breaking down.
She then turned away from the camera and said, “Sorry, guys. Don’t know. Can I have a moment?’
Robin also asked the Brazilian beauty how she juggles co-parenting with Tom, to which she responded: “I think there are easier days than others, and I can only control what I do.”
Last month, during a conversation, she admitted that life as a single mother has had its challenges Harper’s Bazaar for her cover girl spread in the Joy February 2024 issue.
She suggested that she and Tom are parents “in two different ways” and that this can cause tension between herself and their children.
“Sometimes I get resistance, especially because they are in two different houses now and there are two different ways,” she revealed.
“But I feel like I owe it to my children because of what my mother taught me.”
Gisele has since been linked to a new ‘boyfriend’ – jiu-jitsu trainer Joaquim Valente – who is reportedly living more or less in her Florida mansion
The supermodel and jiu-jitsu instructor were spotted embracing in her Miami neighborhood on Valentine’s Day in an exclusive video published by DailyMail.com
The former Victoria’s Secret Angel went public with her new love Valente when they were spotted kissing in Miami on Valentine’s Day in an exclusive video obtained by DailyMail.com.
In the clip, the pair were seen putting on a romantic display near the supermodel’s Miami home – the first time they have been seen kissing in public.
Despite their lack of public displays of affection, the pair have reportedly been dating since June, with Page Six reporting that they were first spotted together over a year ago.
Rumors that they were an item started circulating in November 2022, just weeks after Tom and Gisele confirmed their divorce, when Joseph was photographed vacationing with the supermodel and her kids in Costa Rica.
The couple has also enjoyed trips together to their native Brazil.
Elsewhere, Tom is believed to have moved on with supermodel Irina Shayk, 37
She has remained tight-lipped about their relationship and did not mention Joseph during her recent interview with GMA.
“Where my heart is now is where I am now,” she said. “I live my truth, and I make no apologies for it.”
She later added that her experiences with love made her realize “what I want and what I don’t want.”
Elsewhere, Tom has moved on with supermodel Irina Shayk, 37 – although a source told Page Six he is trying to focus much of his energy on ‘kids and work’, denying rumors he was already considering returning to life to tie the knot.
“Anything that says he wants to get married again is just made up,” the insider claimed.
DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Tom and Gisele for comment.