Gisele Bundchen‘s fans were surprised when she declined to walk in the Victoria’s Secret fashion show earlier this month.
The show — which Gisele graced as an Angel from 1996 to 2006 — made a triumphant return after a four-year hiatus, with other OG Angels like Adriana Lima, Candice Swanepoel, and Tyra Banks commanding the runway.
But after it was revealed on Monday that 44-year-old Gisele is pregnant with her fourth child, it was finally clear why the runway sensation decided to skip the event.
The supermodel is expecting her first child with jiu-jitsu pro partner Joaquim Valente, 35, whom she’s been dating since June 2023, following her divorce from Tom Brady, 47.
Following the happy baby news, fans took to social media to congratulate the star, with one writing: ‘ohhhh now i know why gisele budchen was not at the victoria secret fashion show, i swear i was mad, but now it makes sense.’
Gisele Bündchen’s, 44, fans now understand why she skipped the Victoria’s Secret fashion show earlier this month, after learning of her pregnancy; pictured in April
‘So THAT’S why Gisele wasn’t at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Got it. Happy for her,’ another added.
‘Oh thats why you guys didnt see Gisele at Victoria Secret show this year.’
‘Maybe why we didn’t see her in the VS show!!! Congrats.’
‘SO happy for them!’
Gisele had previously retired from walking runway shows in 2020.
The star had reportedly been invited to participate in the Victoria’s Secret show in June, but declined according to TMZ, with her team stating ‘she no longer wants to walk runways for shows.’
This will be Gisele’s third child and Joaquim’s first. She is reportedly ‘five or six months’ along in her pregnancy.
A source close to the star confirmed to People: ‘Gisele and Joaquim are happy for this new chapter in their life and they’re looking forward to creating a peaceful and loving environment for the whole family.’
DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Gisele for comment.
The star was pictured on October 23 covering up her stomach in a baggy sweater. She appeared to have a slight bump and kept her handbag shielding her stomach.
The supermodel is expecting her first child with jiu-jitsu pro partner Joaquim Valente, 35 (R) whom she’s been dating since June 2023, following her divorce from Tom Brady, 47
Following the news, fans took to social media with comments expressing how they now understand why she declined to participate in the event; she’s seen walking the show in 2005
‘ohhhh now i know why gisele budchen was not at the victoria secret fashion show, i swear i was mad, but now it makes sense,’ one wrote
The star is already mom to son Benjamin, 14, and daughter Vivian, 11 from her marriage to NFL GOAT Tom.
TMZ reports the star is five or six months along – and that the couple are waiting until the birth to find out if they have a baby girl or a baby boy.
The pregnancy joy comes two years after Gisele and Tom split following a 13 year marriage.
Joaquim, who is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor, owns a jiu-jitsu studio with his brothers Pedro and Gui Valente in Miami.
They first met in December 2021 when she sought out jiu-jitsu training for her son and then decided to take classes too.
In early July, the lovebirds enjoyed a summer vacation to Costa Rica with her two children.
She told Dust Magazine: ‘Initially, I wasn’t even considering it for myself. But when I brought [her son Ben] to the first class and started talking to Joaquim, I realized that it was much more than self defense.’
Adding that the jiu-jitsu philosophy interested her the most: ‘It felt very much in line with what I believe in and look for in my life, and how I have a path to develop and become the best version of myself.’
Gisele previously graced the Victoria’s Secret runway as an Angel from 1996 to 2006; pictured in 2000
The show made a triumphant return after a four-year hiatus, with other OG Angels like Adriana Lima, Candice Swanepoel, and Tyra Banks gracing the runway
The duo sparked romance rumors when they were seen together in November 2022 in Costa Rica, two weeks after her divorce from Tom Brady was finalized.
Gisele denied they were romantically involved.
Despite the questionable timeline of their relationship, Bündchen has denied cheating on her husband of 13 years.
‘That is a lie,’ she told the New York Times in late March, explaining that she doesn’t ‘want to make my life a tabloid.’
‘This is something that happens to a lot of women who get blamed when they have the courage to leave an unhealthy relationship and are labeled as being unfaithful,’ explained Bündchen.
After months of being romantically linked, Bündchen confirmed her new relationship earlier this year, although she didn’t name Valente.
‘This is the first time I am seeing someone that was a friend of mine first,’ Bündchen told NYT. ‘It’s very different. It is very honest, and it’s very transparent.’
The couple was first romantically linked on Valentine’s Day as they were photographed sharing a kiss during a date in Miami. Page Six reported at the time that the couple is ‘deeply in love.’
A source told People that Bündchen and Valente ‘have been dating since June,’ adding: ‘They’re taking it slow.’
Another insider said ‘they started out as friends’ and had a lot in common, both moving from their native Brazil at a young age.
The star is already mom to son Benjamin, 14, and daughter Vivian, 11 from her marriage to Tom; pictured with their kids and Tom’s eldest son Jack, whom he shares with ex Bridget Moynahan
Tom and Gisele confirmed they were divorcing in October 2022 after 13 years of marriage; pictured in 2019
‘He was a huge comfort for Gisele while she went through her divorce,’ the source said. ‘Their friendship turned romantic after the divorce.’
In February 2024, a source for People revealed that Gisele and Joaquim have actually been dating since June 2023.
Tom and Gisele confirmed they were divorcing in October 2022 after 13 years of marriage. They revealed in the announcement that they had already finalized their divorce.
The stars first met in December 2006 after being set up on a blind date by a mutual friend.
During their marriage, they welcomed son Benjamin Rein Brady on December 8, 2009 and daughter Vivian on December 5, 2012.
Tom has son John ‘Jack’ Edward Thomas Moynahan with ex-girlfriend Bridget Moynahan, born August 22, 2007.