The 37-year-old supermodel opens up about the strong bond she shares with the NFL star.
Gisele Bündchen is getting candid about what her life at home with Tom Brady is really like.
Rocking effortless waves, a fringe Loewe dress and vintage Vivienne Westwood boots, the 37-year-old supermodel glows on the cover of WSJ Magazine's April Style & Design issue. In her accompanying interview, Bündchen opens up about her husband's football career, their guilty pleasures, who is the more fashionable one and how they're raising their kids to enjoy life's simple moments.
Growing up in southern Brazil with five sisters, Bündchen learned early on to appreciate quality family time. She and Brady share two kids together, Benjamin, 8, and Vivian, 5, and the New England Patriots quarterback is also a father to 10-year-old son John from his previous relationship with Bridget Moynahan. Bündchen says she and Brady are teaching their children to "be present" -- by taking some time out of the day to put the phones and electronics away and "share" stories with each other.
"That’s the most important thing for me…. I come from a family of eight," Bündchen says. "And it was the best time when we all sat together. Everybody would want to talk. My dad would be like, ‘Raise your hand.'"
Today, Bündchen is one of the most globally recognized supermodels -- but don't call her a "fashion person." "Modeling is my job," she says. "It's not who I am."
At home, she describes herself as a "jeans and T-shirt girl," and admits that Brady is actually the more stylish one. "I’ve never in my life told him to wear anything,” Bündchen reveals. “You should see our closets….It’s so funny. I would say that he likes fashion more than I like fashion. I would say he’s changed his haircut in one year more than I’ve changed in my whole life."
And as for what's in their kitchen cabinets, fans of the couple may be surprised to learn that, just like us, even Bündchen and Brady (who follow a strict diet regimen) have their moments where they need a little sweet treat. The blonde beauty reveals their family indulges in Dunkin' Donuts from time to time. "Do you know those things called Munchkins?" she asks, referring to the bakery chain's popular bite-sized donuts. "Oh, my God. I cannot have one. I have to have, like, 10. They’re so tiny…. It's a guilty pleasure."
Bündchen admits it was actually Brady's idea to start bringing boxes of Munchkins to Benjamin's early morning hockey practices. "It’s become a thing that we bring [them]," she adds.
Seeing as Brady swears by foods like avocado ice cream, colorful salads and fresh veggies, we found Bündchen's donut revelation quite telling. But no less interesting than what she had to say about her husband's plans for retirement. "I'm entitled to have my concerns because my husband is the father of my children," she admits. "If you don’t have your health, what do you have?"
Ultimately, however, she says it's "his decision, and he knows it." And it doesn't sound like he's going anywhere anytime soon.
"It wouldn’t be fair any other way," Bündchen explains. "He’s so focused right now. He has a laser focus on just winning and being the best, and I said, 'You know what? This is what you’re doing right now in your life, and you need to feel complete in it, because if I’m the one who comes and says something and then you make a decision based on something that I said' ... he’d resent it."
"I would never in my life, ever [make that decision for him]," she adds. "I want him to be happy."
According to Bündchen, a happy Brady is a "better" Brady for everyone. Following his team's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Bowl LII last month, Bündchen says it wasn't exactly fun to be around him. Nor was he in happy spirits when the Patriots lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII and again in Super Bowl XLVI.
"Believe me, I’ve been with him when he’s losing," she confesses. "Try to be with him after you have lost [Super Bowls]. I mean, I had my fair share, OK? As long as he’s happy, he’s going to be a better father, he’s going to be a better husband, and I just want him to be happy."
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