The news resonated like a dropped pass heard around the world: Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen, a seemingly invincible power couple, were divorcing. For years, their relationship appeared as solid as Brady’s on-field performance and as glamorous as Bündchen’s runway presence. Their separation after over a decade of marriage sparked immediate curiosity: Why Did Tom Brady Get Divorced from Gisele Bündchen? Like dissecting a complex play after the game, understanding their split requires examining the pressures of fame, career choices, and evolving priorities behind the celebrity facade.
Tom Brady, the NFL legend, and Gisele Bündchen, the supermodel icon, officially began their journey as husband and wife on February 26, 2009. Following a whirlwind one-month engagement, they exchanged vows in a private California ceremony. Their family expanded with the arrival of two children, now teenagers, who have largely remained out of the public spotlight. For many observers, they represented the ultimate celebrity marriage, balancing demanding careers with family life, or so it seemed from the outside.
Cracks began to surface in what appeared to be an impenetrable union when Tom Brady initially announced his retirement from professional football. This decision, seemingly paving the way for more family time and a new chapter, was short-lived. Brady’s subsequent un-retirement and return to the gridiron reportedly ignited tensions within the marriage. Sources close to the couple indicated that Gisele Bündchen had been consulting with divorce lawyers for weeks leading up to the formal announcement of their separation in October 2022. On October 28, 2022, the divorce was finalized, marking the official end of their marriage, citing it as “irretrievably broken.”
Gisele Bündchen offered some insight into the reasons why Tom Brady got divorced in an interview with Bazaar. She suggested that Brady’s unwavering commitment to his football career became a point of contention, encroaching on family time. As she eloquently stated, this was “one piece of a much bigger puzzle.” While both publicly maintained that the divorce was amicable and attributed to growing apart, the timing and circumstances strongly suggest that Brady’s career decisions played a significant role in accelerating their separation. His final, and seemingly definitive, retirement announcement in February 2023, after securing his seventh Super Bowl ring, came too late to mend the marital rift.
Financially, the separation was reportedly streamlined by an “ironclad prenuptial agreement.” While the exact details remain private, it is speculated that this agreement simplified the division of their substantial assets. Tom Brady’s estimated net worth stands at $333 million, while Gisele Bündchen’s exceeds $400 million. Adding to Brady’s financial portfolio is a lucrative broadcasting contract reportedly worth $375 million over ten years, highlighting the continued demands on his time and energy even post-retirement.
The specifics of Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen’s divorce settlement remain shielded from public view. In Illinois, where divorce records are generally accessible, the absence of detailed settlement terms suggests they opted for a common strategy among high-profile individuals: incorporating their comprehensive financial agreement “by reference” into the publicly filed court documents. This legal tactic ensures that only essential forms are placed on the public record, safeguarding the privacy of the more intricate financial details.
For celebrities and high-net-worth individuals, maintaining privacy during divorce proceedings is often a priority. While “sealing” court files offers another layer of protection for sensitive information, obtaining a court order to seal records requires demonstrating a “compelling interest” for restricted access and ensuring the protective order is the “least restrictive” means to the public’s interest, as established in In Re Marriage of Johnson, 232 Ill. App. 3d 1068. Judges retain considerable discretion in determining what constitutes a compelling interest and the extent to which court documents can be sealed. Despite arguments for open access to court proceedings in the American legal system, the ability to seal documents, even partially, remains a crucial tool for protecting personal privacy, particularly in high-profile divorces.
Ultimately, Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen’s decision to prioritize privacy throughout their divorce process reflects a commendable respect for each other and their children. While the public may continue to speculate about the intricacies of why Tom Brady got divorced, their carefully managed separation underscores the inherent challenges celebrities face in navigating public life while striving to maintain personal boundaries during intensely personal matters.
Thomas T. Field, Equity Partner
For more on Mr. Field, please visit: www.beermannlaw.com/team/thomas-t-field.
References
[1] “Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen’s Relationship Timeline,” People Magazine, by Amy Lamare, May 7, 2024.
[2] “Gisele Bündchen Breaks Her Silence on Why She and Tom Brady Split,” Bazaar, by Rosa Sanchez, March 22, 2023.
[3] “Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen’s Prenup Honestly Sounds So Intense,” Cosmopolitan, by Mehera Bonner, November 3, 2022.
