'Parents are responsible': Tom Brady's ex-wife Gisele Bündchen sparked heavy outrage after blaming parents for eating disorders in the industry

Time of India

a day ago

Gisele Bündchen sparked heavy outrage after blaming parents for eating disorders (Getty Images)
In 2007, the global fashion industry was still reeling from the back-to-back losses of two young models—Ana Carolina Reston from Brazil and Luisel Ramos from Uruguay—both of whom tragically died due to complications linked to anorexia.
These heartbreaking events brought long-overdue attention to the toxic pressures models often face regarding body image. With health concerns finally dominating headlines, the fashion world was forced into introspection about the standards it perpetuates.
Gisele Bündchen
spoke out during a pivotal moment in fashion's health crisis
During a 2007 visit to Brazil, supermodel Gisele Bündchen was asked to weigh in on the eating disorder epidemic rocking her industry. Her remarks made waves.
'I never suffered from this problem [anorexia] because I had a very strong family base,' she told Brazilian newspaper O Globo via Reuters. 'Parents are responsible, not the fashion industry.'
Bündchen's comments drew sharp criticism from some who felt she was deflecting blame from an industry that many believed had contributed to the deadly beauty ideals taking root in young minds. However, her defenders argued that she was speaking from personal experience and highlighting the importance of a strong support system.
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Undo
While Bündchen credited her 'strong family base' for shielding her from anorexia, her later years with NFL superstar Tom Brady painted a more layered picture. Married in 2009, the couple was often hailed as a power duo—beauty, athleticism, and discipline rolled into one glamorous package.
Gisele Bündchen (Image via her IG)
But behind the polished photos and magazine covers were signs of strain. Gisele often spoke about feeling alone in parenting while Brady remained laser-focused on football.
Their marriage weathered years of media scrutiny, lifestyle differences, and eventually ended in divorce in 2022. This backdrop complicates her earlier statements about familial support being the ultimate safeguard.
While she found stability in her early family life, her adult experiences—especially under the glare of fame and perfection—suggest that even the strongest foundations can crack under pressure.
Her comments in 2007 may have been sincere, but her high-profile relationship later revealed that no one is immune to emotional and societal strain.
A controversial take—but not without nuance
Though she acknowledged that 'everybody knows that the norm in fashion is thin,' Bündchen was careful to point out that not all models are victims of unhealthy practices. 'There are people born with the right genes for this profession,' she added. 'But you can't generalize and say that all models are anorexic.'
While critics labeled her stance as tone-deaf, especially in the wake of two very public tragedies, others saw a deeper message. Gisele wasn't dismissing the issue entirely—rather, she was reframing it through her own lens, suggesting that the root of the problem might also lie in parenting, mental health, and societal values beyond the runway.
As Vanity Fair noted, Gisele's influence was not without positive impact. At a time when the fashion industry favored what the outlet described as a more 'emaciated' look, Bündchen offered a healthier image. With her athletic build and confident demeanor, she 'breathed life into the fashion world and brought curves and muscles back into style.'
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'If he were mine…': Gisele Bündchen's bold claim about Tom Brady and Bridget Moynahan's son sparked heavy backlash
Looking back, her comments remain a flashpoint in the larger conversation about body image, industry ethics, and the shared responsibility between media, families, and fashion houses.