publish time

23/09/2023

author name Arab Times

publish time

23/09/2023

Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady. (AP)

LOS ANGELES, Sept 23, (Agencies): Gisele Bündchen, the iconic supermodel who has graced countless magazine covers and catwalks, has finally unveiled the hidden layers beneath her seemingly perfect life. In an intimate conversation with CBS News Sunday Morning's Lee Cowan, Gisele sheds light on her divorce from football legend Tom Brady and her ongoing journey towards self-discovery.

Nestled in her Costa Rican retreat, surrounded by lush foliage and the soothing symphony of nature, Gisele candidly discusses the profound transformation her life has undergone. "I find myself in a different phase of life now. I have the freedom to choose what truly matters to me," she confides. "In the past, it felt like I was merely surviving, but today, I'm truly living."

At 43, Gisele is ready to reveal her authentic self to the world, a departure from the facade she meticulously crafted to navigate the ruthless world of modeling, a world that once plunged her into paralyzing anxiety attacks.

"I found myself in dark tunnels, gasping for air," Gisele recalls, her eyes reflecting the haunting memories. "And then, I would be confined in studios, feeling suffocated. I lived on the ninth floor, but I'd take the stairs because I feared getting trapped in the elevator, my breath racing… You know when even with open windows, you can't breathe? It was a stark realization that I couldn't continue living like that."

With empathy and sensitivity, Cowan poses the question that hangs in the air, "Did you ever contemplate jumping?" Gisele pauses, her expression solemn, "Yes, for a fleeting moment."

Her revelation hangs heavily in the air, a stark reminder that even the most seemingly charmed lives can conceal profound struggles. Gisele's path to healing and self-discovery was anything but easy, but it was a journey she embarked upon with unwavering determination.

As the interview unfolds, Gisele opens up about the most public chapter of her life - her marriage to Tom. Together for 16 years, their divorce became global news. "It wasn't the future I had envisioned or wished for," she confesses. "My parents have been married for half a century, and I yearned for that. But sometimes, you have to acknowledge that the people you are in your 20s aren't necessarily the same in your later years. We either grow together or grow apart. He's the father of my children, and I will always wish him the best. I'm eternally grateful for the beautiful children he gave me."

This poignant moment underscores the complexities of love and life. Although her marriage has concluded, it bestowed upon her cherished children and invaluable life experiences.

Gisele and Tom share two children: 13-year-old son Benjamin and 10-year-old daughter Vivian, while Tom is also a father to 16-year-old son Jack, from his previous relationship with actress Bridget Moynahan.

In the interview, Gisele offers glimpses of her childhood, her family, and her newfound life away from the public gaze. She reveals how embracing a healthier lifestyle not only transformed her but also saved her life. Her role as a wellness ambassador for Gaia Herbs has given her a fresh sense of purpose, a platform to simply be herself.

"I'm now allowing myself to emerge as Gisele, not the 'her,'" she says with a genuine smile. "I no longer need to play a role. I can be me, and that's liberating."

Gisele and Tom publicly announced their "amicable" divorce in October 2022. In her statement at the time, Gisele remarked, "The decision to end a marriage is never easy, but we have grown apart."