TAMPA, Florida — Buccaneers strategist Tom Brady announced Friday that he and his wife Gisele Bundchen have finalized a divorce, ending 13 years of marriage and months of speculation about marital strife.
Brady posted on Instagram, “In the past few days my wife and I finalized our divorce after 13 years of marriage. We have come to this decision amicably and with gratitude for our time together. We have the lucky to have beautiful and wonderful children. who will continue to be the center of our world in every way. we will continue to work together as parents to always ensure that they receive the love and attention that they deserve.
“We came to this decision to end our marriage after careful consideration.
“This is, of course, painful and difficult, as it is for many people who go through the same thing every day around the world. However, we only wish the best for each other as we continue the new chapters of our lives that are yet to be written.
“And we kindly ask for privacy and respect as we navigate what’s to come in the days and weeks ahead. Thank you.”
According to documents filed in Glades County, Florida, the marriage was deemed “irretrievably broken”. The other details of the divorce are sealed.
The couple share two children, Benjamin, 12, and Vivian, 9. Brady also has a 15-year-old son, Jack, with actress Bridget Moynahan.
Bundchen struck a similar tone in her Instagram post announcing the couple’s divorce.
“The decision to end a marriage is never easy, but we have separated and while of course it is difficult to go through something like this, I feel blessed for the time we have spent together and I always wish Tom the best,” Bundchen read in part.
The Bucs lost to Baltimore Ravens 27-22 on Thursday night – their fifth loss in the last six games – and Brady sat at his locker looking crestfallen afterward as teammates Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Griffin and quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen tried to comfort him.
It was an unusual season for Brady, one that saw him return after a 40-day retirement.
In announcing his return, Brady posted two photos – one with his offensive line preparing to break the ball and one with Bundchen walking with his three children, all wearing Bucs clothes. He wrote: “I love my teammates and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible.”
Bundchen had expressed public support for Brady’s return to football, tweeting 9/11, on the opening day of the Tampa Bay season. It was the last time she posted about Brady on social media.
Brady got an 11-day break during training camp so he could take care of “personal things”, as coach Todd Bowles put it, for which he spent time with his family.
Asked about his absence on his return, Brady said: “It’s all personal. Everyone has different situations they face. I’m 45, man. There’s a lot of shit going on. You gotta just try. to understand life as best you can.”
The couple reportedly lived separately, with Bundchen having been photographed several times in Miami and New York in recent weeks without her wedding ring. She had also been noticeably absent from all Bucs home games this season.
In an interview with Elle magazine in September, Bundchen expressed concern that Brady would continue to perform due to the violent nature of the game, but said, “At the end of the day, I think everyone has to take a decision that works for [them]. He too must follow his joy.”
She also said that after years of supporting Brady and caring for their family, “Now it’s going to be my turn.”
“I did my part, which is to be there for him,” Bundchen said. “I moved to Boston and focused on creating a cocoon and a loving environment for my children to grow up in and be there to support him and his dreams.”
In his 23rd season, Brady is aiming for his eighth Super Bowl title and his second in Tampa Bay. However, the Bucs are second in the NFC South at 3-5 and have lost three straight.
