Gisele Bundchen Embraces Nostalgic Instagram Trend
Supermodel Gisele Bundchen has jumped on a fun new Instagram trend this Monday, joining the viral social media movement known as '2026 is the new 2016'. This trend encourages users to share photos and videos from 2016, looking back at what many perceive as a simpler, less-curated time with less tension.
Reflecting on 2016 Without Tom Brady
In 2016, the Vogue supermodel from Brazil was married to football star Tom Brady, her spouse from 2009 until their divorce in 2022. Notably, Bundchen did not share any photos with the former New England Patriots quarterback in her nostalgic post. Instead, she included shots of their two children, Benjamin and Vivian, highlighting family moments.
Since parting ways with Brady, the 45-year-old cover girl has married jiu-jitsu trainer Joaquim Valente, with whom she has a son whose name remains private. Bundchen's caption for the trend read, 'Sometimes it’s good to slow down, look back, and notice how far we’ve come.' She added that 2016 'shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time,' mentioning highs and lows, including representing Brazil at the Olympic Opening Ceremony.
Personal Highlights and Family Focus
Bundchen detailed various personal achievements from that year, such as planting her first tree with her children, traveling to the Amazon and the pyramids of Teotihuacan, launching her photography book in New York, and spending time with conservationist Jane Goodall. She emphasised meaningful family time, posting images of her children and her father, Valdir Bundchen, while avoiding any reference to Brady.
Her post concluded with a heartfelt message: 'In between it all, I sang, threw a few punches, played princess, Matrix, and astronaut, was Mario Bros with Benny, and ended the year surrounded by my whole family with my heart full of gratitude and a deep knowing of what life is really about.'
Recent Life Updates and Privacy
Bundchen tied the knot with Valente on December 3 in an intentionally intimate ceremony, attended only by close family, including their baby son. Sources indicate she desires privacy, with one insider noting, 'Gisele is tired of all of the attention on her private life. She just wants to do things her own way.' She has kept her baby boy's name and face private, though friends revealed his middle name is River.
Meanwhile, Tom Brady has moved on, dating supermodel Irina Shayk. Bundchen's social media continues to offer glimpses into her family life, following the loss of her mother, Vânia Nonnenmacher, to cancer in January 2024.
Thriving Career Post-Divorce
Since her divorce, Bundchen has seen a resurgence in her modeling career, starring in high-profile campaigns for brands like Louis Vuitton, Victoria's Secret, Frame, Jimmy Choo, Balmain, and others. She maintains a toned physique through Pilates, martial arts, and yoga, landing significant roles that often showcase her body in ads for clothing, jewelry, and shoes.
In a recent interview, Bundchen reflected on her divorce, describing it as 'like the end of a dream,' but she has since found happiness with Valente, whom sources describe as 'deeply in love.' Her professional success and personal growth highlight her resilience and continued relevance in the fashion industry.
