Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady (via Getty Images)
But in 2026, with both continuing to make headlines in very different ways, the question remains: who is more successful — Gisele Bündchen or Tom Brady? Forbes reported that she earned an estimated $44 million in 2015 and remained the highest-paid model in fashion. Earlier Forbes reporting estimated that she had earned $386 million from modeling since 2001. Even after officially retiring from the runway in 2015, she continued appearing in major campaigns. And that has not stopped in 2026. His biggest post-playing deal is his reported 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox Sports, where he is now in his third season as the network’s lead NFL analyst. The deal works out to roughly $37.5 million per year. Brady became a limited partner of the Las Vegas Raiders after NFL owners approved his 5% stake in 2024. A 2026 transaction reportedly valued the Raiders at approximately $9.9 billion. In 2026, she is still appearing on international fashion covers and in major campaigns. Her modeling career was established years before the two married in 2009. The former couple finalized their divorce in October 2022 after 13 years of marriage. Gisele married jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente in December 2025. The couple welcomed their first child together in early 2025. She became one of the world’s highest-paid models, built an international commercial career, and remains active in major fashion campaigns and magazine covers in 2026. His $375 million Fox deal and Raiders stake demonstrate how successfully he has monetized his name beyond the NFL. Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news , check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule .
Because his ownership is private and subject to league restrictions, on a simple 5% calculation, that would put the headline value of Brady’s stake at close to $500 million, although that should not be interpreted as money Brady could necessarily cash out for immediately. Because brady and Bündchen have achieved success in different fields, there isn’t one objective answer.
The answer depends largely on what “successful” means. It would be speculative to characterize either person as “lonely” or to judge whose personal life is better. Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen have both built careers that extend far beyond the industries that first made them famous. Brady is a seven-time Super Bowl champion who has turned his post-NFL career into a lucrative second act as a broadcaster, entrepreneur, and Las Vegas Raiders owner. Gisele, meanwhile, remains one of the most recognizable names in fashion more than a decade after stepping away from the runway. Gisele’s career was built on international recognition. At the height of her modeling career, she was consistently the world’s highest-paid model. Her career also went well beyond runway appearances. She became the face of major international brands and built a business portfolio around endorsements, licensing, and fashion. Models.com’s current profile lists Bündchen in campaigns for Chanel and Marc O’Polo, as well as covers for W Magazine and i-D Magazine this year. Her return to W was particularly notable. The magazine described it as her first W cover in nearly two decades, highlighting just how enduring her relevance in fashion remains. In other words, Gisele’s career did not simply peak in the 2000s and disappear. She has continued to turn her name into a global brand. Brady’s success is easier to quantify on the sports side. He retired with seven Super Bowl championships, the defining achievement of his NFL career, and has since transitioned into a very different form of celebrity. Then there is his ownership role. That is a remarkable post-NFL portfolio. This is where the comparison gets more complicated. Brady’s fame is enormous, but it is closely tied to American football and American sports culture. Gisele’s career was built around fashion, advertising, and luxury brands, industries with inherently international audiences. Her name has been attached to Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Victoria’s Secret and numerous other global campaigns throughout her career. That makes global celebrity reach one area where Gisele has a particularly strong case. It is also worth remembering that Gisele was already a worldwide celebrity independently of her relationship with Brady. Gisele now has three children, including her two children with Brady. Brady, meanwhile, has remained highly visible through Fox, his business ventures, his Raiders ownership and his three children. What can be established is that both have built lives and careers that remain highly visible after their marriage ended. If success means sporting achievement, Brady has the stronger résumé. Seven Super Bowl victories and his status as one of the most accomplished players in NFL history are unmatched within his sport. If success means fashion influence and global celebrity recognition, Gisele has a particularly strong case. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines And if the question is who appears to have the broader global celebrity footprint outside a single sport , Gisele’s career gives her a compelling advantage: fashion, luxury, beauty, advertising and international pop culture have all been part of her brand. Brady, however, has arguably built the more diversified sports-business empire in his post-playing career, combining broadcasting, ownership, investments and entrepreneurship. Gisele and Brady are both still operating at the top of their respective celebrity ecosystems. Gisele through global fashion and lifestyle, and Brady through sports, broadcasting, and business. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.
Since then, both have entered new chapters.