The telling comment Gisele Bundchen made about family years before shock pregnancy at 44 with Joaquim Valente

Gisele Bundchen had previously expressed her hopes for a 'big family' 15 years before it was revealed on Monday that she is expecting her third child with boyfriend Joaquim Valente. 

The Brazilian-born supermodel, 44, is pregnant with baby number three and her first with the jiu-jitsu instructor, 35 - whom she began dating last year in June 2023. 

Bundchen is already mother to son Benjamin, 14, and daughter, Vivian, 11, whom she shares with ex-husband and retired NFL player, Tom Brady. He is also father to son Jack, 17, whom he welcomed with ex Bridget Moynahan. 

During a resurfaced interview with Harper's Bazaar in 2009, Gisele stated, 'I want to have a big family.'

'My parents have been together for 36 years, and that is what I want,' she continued. 'I am in that place. It's all good in that part of my life.' 

'It's one part of my life that I'm learning about every day. I've been challenged a lot by it, but it's the most rewarding part.'

On Monday, a source confirmed to People that Gisele and boyfriend, Joaquim Valente are expecting their first child together. 

The insider stated, 'Gisele and Joaquim are happy for this new chapter in their life and they're looking forward to creating a peaceful and loving environment for the whole family.'

Bundchen also notably did not walk in the revamped Victoria's Secret fashion show on October 15 - despite being one of the brand's iconic Angels.

TMZ reported the star is five or six months along - and that the couple are waiting until the birth to find out if they have a baby girl or a baby boy.

The pregnancy joy comes two years after Gisele and Tom split following a 13 year marriage.

Joaquim, who is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor, owns a jiu-jitsu studio with his brothers Pedro and Gui Valente in Miami. 

They first met in December 2021 when she sought out jiu-jitsu training for her son and then decided to take classes too.

In early July, the lovebirds enjoyed a summer vacation to Costa Rica with her two children.

She told Dust Magazine: 'Initially, I wasn't even considering it for myself. But when I brought [her son Ben] to the first class and started talking to Joaquim, I realized that it was much more than self defense.'

Adding that the jiu-jitsu philosophy interested her the most: 'It felt very much in line with what I believe in and look for in my life, and how I have a path to develop and become the best version of myself.'

The duo sparked romance rumors when they were seen together in November 2022 in Costa Rica, two weeks after her divorce from Tom Brady was finalized.

Gisele denied they were romantically involved. Despite the questionable timeline of their relationship, Bundchen has denied cheating on her husband of 13 years.

'That is a lie,' she told the New York Times in late March, explaining that she doesn't 'want to make my life a tabloid.'

'This is something that happens to a lot of women who get blamed when they have the courage to leave an unhealthy relationship and are labeled as being unfaithful,' explained Bundchen.

After months of being romantically linked, Bundchen confirmed her new relationship earlier this year, although she didn't name Valente.

'This is the first time I am seeing someone that was a friend of mine first,' Bündchen told NYT. 'It's very different. It is very honest, and it's very transparent.'

The couple was first romantically linked on Valentine's Day as they were photographed sharing a kiss during a date in Miami. Page Six reported at the time that the couple is 'deeply in love.'

A separate source also told People, 'They have been dating since June. They're taking it slow.'

'They started out as great friends first. She's very private about this and wanted to keep it quiet while they got to know each other.' 

Back in March, Gisele also opened up about moving on following her divorce from Tom Brady during an interview with Robin Roberts for IMPACT x Nightline: Gisele Bundchen: Climbing The Mountain. 

At one point, Roberts asked Bundchen, 'Would you be able to open up your heart again to someone?' 

Although she didn't comment on her romance with Valente, Gisele said, 'Where my heart is now is where I am right now. I'm living my truth, and I'm not apologizing for it.'

'Right now, really my priority is my kids and creating this beautiful sanctuary for my family but then yes, why not.'

'Life is full of surprises. I don't have a crystal ball that says what will happen tomorrow, but yes.'

Earlier this year in January, Gisele further opened up about motherhood and raising her children while talking to Harper's Bazaar, including the advice she gives them to navigate in the world on their own. 

She recalled telling her kids: 'The way you make your room, the way you organize and make your bed is the way you're going to do your life. If you're not learning here and now, then when and with who?' 

'Sometimes, I get pushback, especially because now they're in two different homes and there are two different ways. But I feel like I owe it to my kids, because of what my mom taught me,' the model added. 

In regards to her life often being in the public eye - including her divorce from Brady - she told the outlet, 'I can't really worry about what other people say about me because what they say about me is none of my business.'

'It's really their business that they're trying to project onto me. If I'm going to be affected by that, I'm never going to live my truth.'