Gisele Bündchen

Gisele Bündchen, born in 1980, is an internationally celebrated Brazilian supermodel, best known for her iconic tenure as a Victoria’s Secret Angel. In late 2021, Bündchen embarked on her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey at the Valente Brothers academy in Miami. Initially inspired after enrolling her son in classes, she quickly embraced the martial art herself, transforming jiu-jitsu into a meaningful family pursuit alongside her children.

Dedicated Training and Accelerated Advancement

Bündchen maintains a rigorous training schedule, consistently attending multiple weekly sessions under the guidance of instructor Joaquim Valente. Her disciplined approach and intense dedication accelerated her progression through the ranks. Within approximately one year of starting her training, she earned her blue belt. By late 2023, Bündchen advanced to purple belt—achieving this milestone roughly two years after beginning her journey, significantly faster than the typical progression timeline in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Her rapid advancement sparked considerable discussion within the BJJ community, underscoring both her commitment and the intensity of her training regimen.

Promoting Confidence and Resilience

Bündchen actively champions Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a powerful tool for women's empowerment. She credits the martial art with significantly enhancing her personal focus, confidence, and resilience. Regularly sharing training photos and videos on social media, Bündchen demonstrates various techniques and drills, effectively raising global awareness of BJJ. Her enthusiastic advocacy introduces many followers to the benefits of training, self-defense, and personal growth through martial arts.

Family Bonding and Personal Milestones

Bündchen's connection to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu extends beyond the mats. She developed a close personal relationship with her instructor, Joaquim Valente, and the two reportedly began dating in 2023. In early 2025, Bündchen and Valente welcomed their first child together, marking a significant personal milestone directly linked to her BJJ journey. Bündchen continues to integrate jiu-jitsu into her family life, regularly training alongside her children and promoting the martial art as an enriching family activity.