Gisele Bündchen grew close to Joaquim Valente following her October 2022 split from Tom Brady.
Bündchen and Valente were spotted together on vacation in Costa Rica in November 2022. According to photos obtained by Page Six at the time, the pair were out enjoying a meal alongside the model’s children, Benjamin and Vivian — whom she shares with the retired NFL player.
Meanwhile, a source exclusively told Us Weekly that Bündchen and the Jiu-Jitsu instructor “have known each other for two years.” The twosome previously worked together on a photo shoot for Dust magazine back in 2021 where Bündchen revealed that they connected after enrolling son Benjamin in Valente’s martial arts school.
A source, meanwhile, did exclusively tell Us Weekly that Bündchen and the Jiu-Jitsu instructor “have known each other for two years” and have previously worked together on a photo shoot for Dust Magazine back in 2021.
One year later, Bündchen and Valente’s friendship blossomed into something more. After being spotted packing on the PDA for Valentine’s Day 2024, an additional insider told Us that they started dating the previous year.
“Joaquim was there for Gisele through her divorce, as a friend, and they turned romantic this past summer,” the source explained in February 2024, while noting that the couple have “similar lifestyles” and are both “dedicated to fitness and nutrition.”
In October 2024, People broke the news that Bündchen was expecting her first baby with Valente.
Scroll through for five things to know about Valente:
1. Where Is Joaquim Valente From?
Valente grew up in Rio de Janeiro but moved to Miami to study at Barry University.
2. What Does Joaquim Valente Do?
According to his LinkedIn page, Valente is a professor at Valente Brothers Jiu-Jitsu.
3. How Does Joaquim Valente Know Gisele Bundchen?
The pair worked together during a spread in Dust Magazine in 2021. In February, Bündchen shared a video via her Instagram with the martial artist’s studio to promote practicing self-defense.
“I believe the more tools we have in our toolbox the better. I feel stronger, more confidence and empowered since I started practicing self-defense,” she captioned. “I feel it’s an important skill for all, but specially for us women. Thank you @ValenteBrothers for being awesome teachers and for making training so much fun. I am looking forward to keep improving. Let’s go! 🤛🏼”
4. Is Joaquim Valente Close With His Family?
Yes, the Rio de Janeiro native and his brothers learned the Brazilian martial arts from their father at a young age and the siblings run the Florida-based Jiu-Jitsu studio.
5. Who Has Joaquim Valente Taught Jiu-Jitsu To?
Besides the model, Valente has instructed agents from the FBI, Secret Service, Miami Police Department and other law enforcement entities about self-defense style.
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