Miami, April 4, 2025 – Gisele Bündchen and her boyfriend Joaquim Valente will not be gracing the red carpet at this year’s Met Gala, despite swirling fan speculation about a potential debut as a couple. Sources close to the pair confirmed to TMZ on Thursday that the supermodel and jiu-jitsu instructor are skipping the iconic fashion event entirely, choosing instead to focus on their new life as parents in Miami following the birth of their first child together in February.
A New Chapter Over a Starry Night
Bündchen, 44, and Valente, 37, welcomed their son—whose name remains under wraps—earlier this year, marking her third child and his first. The couple, who began dating in June 2023 after a friendship rooted in Valente’s Miami-based Valente Brothers jiu-jitsu academy, have kept a low profile since the birth. “Gisele and Joaquim are prioritizing their newborn and family time,” a source told TMZ, noting that Bündchen had no plans to attend the Met Gala even before the baby arrived. Her last appearance at the event was in 2023, when she turned heads in a sheer Chanel gown honoring Karl Lagerfeld.
The decision bucks expectations from fans eager to see the pair—who’ve been spotted on romantic Miami boat trips and water bike outings since becoming parents—make a splash at fashion’s biggest night. Posts on X had buzzed with predictions of a “power couple moment,” but the duo’s focus appears firmly elsewhere. “They’re in nesting mode,” an insider added to Page Six, hinting at Bündchen’s delight in this “freer” chapter post her 2022 divorce from Tom Brady.
A Shift in Priorities
Bündchen’s absence from the Met Gala aligns with her recent pivot toward privacy and family. After finalizing her split from Brady—father to her children Benjamin, 15, and Vivian, 12—she’s leaned into a quieter life with Valente, a Brazilian native like herself whose grounded demeanor she’s praised. “This is the first time I’m seeing someone who was a friend first,” she told The New York Times in March 2024, calling their bond “honest” and “transparent.” Their romance, which blossomed after Valente supported her through the divorce, has since deepened with the arrival of their son, whose middle name, River, nods to a water-themed tradition from her kids with Brady.
Rather than donning couture in New York, Bündchen and Valente have been soaking up Miami’s sun—literally. On March 30, they were photographed pedaling water bikes together, her in black activewear, him in swim trunks, exuding casual bliss. Earlier, a March 15 boat ride saw them kissing amid friends, her post-baby glow undeniable in a chic one-piece. “She’s loving this new phase,” a source told Page Six, underscoring how Valente’s presence has unshackled her from past shadows.
Why No Met Gala?
The Met Gala, slated for May 5, 2025, with its “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme, would’ve been a fitting stage for Bündchen, a fashion titan whose 2000s runway reign revived the “sexy” model archetype. Yet, her no-show isn’t a snub—sources say it’s about timing. With a newborn at home and two teens she co-parents with Brady, the logistics of a New York trip may not align. Plus, Valente, a martial arts pro over a red-carpet regular, isn’t one for the spotlight, preferring paddleboards to paparazzi.
Posts on X reflect the letdown: “Was hoping for Gisele and Joaquim at the Met—guess we’ll wait,” one fan wrote. But others cheer the choice: “Respect to Gisele for picking family over fame.” It’s a stark contrast to her Brady years, when the couple dazzled at the Gala—think 2017’s sustainable Versace moment. Now, her runway is Miami’s waterways, and her plus-one is a baby boy.
Looking Ahead
While Bündchen and Valente won’t be at the Met, their story’s far from over. She’s “blossomed” since the divorce, per PEOPLE, juggling motherhood with ventures like her Nourish cookbook, while he’s a steady fixture—teaching her kids jiu-jitsu and paddleboarding with Benjamin. As Trump’s tariffs loom, potentially hiking costs for her eco-friendly brand collabs, Bündchen’s focus remains inward—building a “peaceful, loving environment” for her blended family, as a source told Glamour. For now, the Met Gala’s loss is Miami’s gain, where this power couple trades sequins for sunscreen.
