American football legend Tom Brady has posted a cryptic message on social media following the revelation that his ex-wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, held a secret wedding earlier this month.
A Secret Ceremony and a Cryptic Response
Gisele Bundchen married her fiancé, jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente, in a low-key ceremony on December 3. The wedding took place shortly after the couple welcomed their first child together, a baby boy. This marks Bundchen's second marriage, following her high-profile 13-year union with Brady, which ended in October 2022.
After news of the wedding became public on Friday, Brady broke his silence online. The seven-time Super Bowl champion shared a selfie on his Instagram story wearing a hoodie from his 'Forever Young' clothing line. The post was captioned simply: 'Yuppppppp'. While the 'Forever Young' collection launched in 2022, it is unclear whether Brady intended the slogan to convey a subtle message about the recent developments.
The Backstory of a High-Profile Split
The former couple's divorce was finalised three years after they initially split. Reports at the time suggested that Bundchen was unhappy with Brady's intense focus on his sporting career, which she felt came at the expense of family life. His dramatic decision to reverse his retirement from the NFL in 2022 is widely seen as the final tipping point.
Over the summer, Brady appeared to address the criticism in a newsletter, defending his dedication to football as a means of providing for his family. "I think part of being a great father is being a great example of doing what it takes to take care of your family," he wrote. "I chose to do it by playing football." He elaborated that his commitment was intended to teach his children about professionalism and following through on commitments.
Moving Forward With No Animosity
Despite the reported reasons for their separation, Bundchen has publicly stated she bears no ill will towards her ex-husband. In an interview with Vanity Fair in March 2023, she said, "I have always cheered for him, and I would continue forever. If there’s one person I want to be the happiest in the world, it’s him, believe me."
Brady and Bundchen share two children, Benjamin and Vivian. Brady also has an older son, Jack, from a previous relationship with actress Bridget Moynahan. Following his brief unretirement, Brady played one final season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before permanently retiring from the NFL in 2023 after a playoff loss.
