Gisele Bündchen is dating jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente, after denying affair rumors for almost a year

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen has been a darling for the media since she made her runway debut back in the late 90s. After being rejected 42 times, she was finally cast in an Alexander McQueen show in 1998, and the Brazilian bombshell has not looked back since. In 2009, Bundchen got married to NFL star quarterback, Tom Brady. Their romance was one for the books, but unfortunately, it all came crumbling down in the latter half of 2022.

Gisele Bündchen | Image Credit: Screengrab/ Vogue/ YouTube
Since her divorce from Brady, Bundchen has been the face of many rumors. From cheating allegations to new love affairs, you name it, and she probably has heard of them all. One of the most popular rumors about the supermodel was her growing bond with her children’s jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente.

Gisele Bundchen On Affair Rumors With Joaquim Valente

Back in October of 2022, the 43-year-old supermodel finalized her divorce with ex-NFL quarterback Tom Brady. Brady is a superstar in his own right when it comes to American football, and the couple was adored by industry peers and fans alike. So when rumors of their separation hit the media, it was a frenzy. Soon after their divorce was finalized, Bundchen was seen with her children’s jiu-jitsu instructors – Joaquim Valente and his brother.

Whether it was a walk on the beach or out at a restaurant with her kids, Valente seemingly was everywhere. But despite all the sightings, Gisele Bundchen was adamant that there was nothing going on between the two, and that the brothers were just being good friends to her and her children in a tough time for their family.

Gisele Bündchen on The Tonight Show | Image Credit: Screengrab/ The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon/ YouTube
Talking to Vanity Fair for their April issue last year, Bundchen said:
“I think, at this point, unfortunately, because I’m divorced, I’m sure that they’re going to try to attach me to anything.”
She further added:
“I’m so grateful to know all of them, because not only have they helped me and helped my kids, but they have become great friends, and Joaquim especially. He’s our teacher and, most importantly, he’s a person that I admire and that I trust. It’s so good to have that kind of energy, to have my kids around that type of energy.”
A year into that, Valente is still a continuing presence in her and her children’s lives. But recently, a source confirmed that the pair have been dating since June 2023.

Gisele Bundchen and Her New Beau, Joaquim Valente

Joaquim Valente and Gisele Bündchen
Bundchen and Valente first sparked dating rumors back in November of 2022, a few weeks after her divorce from ex-husband Tom Brady was finalized. At that time, the supermodel denied all such rumors. But now, a year into that, a source close to the mother of two confirmed that the two have been dating since June of last year.

Talking to PEOPLE, a source close to Bundchen revealed:
“They have been dating since June. They’re taking it slow. They started out as great friends first. She’s very private about this and wanted to keep it quiet while they got to know each other.” 
They also added:
“They started out as friends. He was a huge comfort for Gisele while she went through her divorce. Their friendship turned romantic after the divorce.” 
Neither Bundchen nor Valente have made any official statements regarding the matter. The two met each other back in 2021, when the former’s son started training under the jiu-jitsu instructor in Miami.