One of the world’s most famous supermodels, Gisele Bündchen, took one last strut down the runway on Wednesday, before announcing her retirement after 20 years.
The model and wife of NFL star Tom Brady walked down the catwalk at Sao Paulo Fashion Week for Colcci.
Bündchen posted on Wednesday via her Instagram account, saying, “I am grateful that at 14, I was given the opportunity to start this journey. Today after 20 years in the industry, it is a privilege to be doing my last fashion show by choice and yet still be working in other facets of the business.”
In a Facebook post, her husband, the New England Patriots quarterback, shared a photo of his wife, writing: “I have never met someone with more of a will to succeed and determination to overcome any obstacle in the way.”
Congratulations Love of my Life. You inspire me every day to be a better person. I am so proud of you and everything you…
Posted by Tom Brady on Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Gisele, who was the highest-paid model of 2014, according to Forbes – bringing in $47 million from just that year – says her body is telling her the time is right. “Automatically my body tells me if what I do is worth it, and it asked to stop,” she explained in an interview with a Brazilian newspaper. “I respect my body. It’s a privilege to be able to stop.”
She adds that she is not retiring from all work, however. Though she doesn’t want to do runway shows, Bündchen was only “clos[ing] the chapter on the Brazilian runway,” according to her IMG agent Anne Nelson. Right now, her main priority is being with those she loves and ceasing notable opportunities, saying, “I want to be with my family more and focus on special projects.”
Bündchen and Brady have two kids, Benjamin, 5, and Vivian, 2.
