Gisele Bündchen and Joaquim Valente Started Dating in June: ‘They’re Taking it Slow’ (Exclusive Source)

Gisele Bündchen and Joaquim Valente have been dating since June, PEOPLE can confirm.

“They’ve been dating since June. They’re going slow. They first started out as great friends. She’s very private about it and wanted to keep it quiet until they met,” a source told PEOPLE.

Gisele Bündchen ‘Loves and Trusts’ Jiu-Jitsu Pro Joaquim Valente: ‘They Have a Deep Connection’

Representatives for Bündchen (43) and Valente were not available for comment.

Another source confirmed that Bündchen and her family’s jiu-jitsu instructor developed feelings for each other over time after initially having a platonic relationship.

“They started out as friends,” another source tells PEOPLE. “He was a great comfort to Gisele when she was going through a divorce. Their friendship turned romantic after the divorce.”

Joaquim Valente; Gisele Bundchen. Valente Brothers/Instagram; Tristar Media/Getty

The insider adds: “Joaquim is a great guy. He is down-to-earth, kind and inspiring. After the divorce, Gisele had doubts about the relationship. It was very natural for her to date Joaquim.”

According to an exclusive source, she “loves that he’s Brazilian” like her.

“They come from similar backgrounds. Both of them left Brazil very young. Both have created amazing lives for themselves in the US. They both love Miami, but also enjoy traveling. They both enjoy a healthy life. Gisele is in a great space. She is happy and enjoys life very much. Joaquim is perfect for her,” an insider told PEOPLE.

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In January 2023, another insider told PEOPLE that Bündchen and Valente “have been spending a lot of time” with each other and have even vacationed together in Costa Rica on numerous occasions, but at that point they did not move beyond friendship.

She was first seen with a jiu-jitsu professional in Costa Rica in November 2022.

Bündchen and her ex-husband, former NFL star Tom Brady, filed for divorce on October 28, 2022 after 13 years of marriage.

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen, 2019.

Kevin Mazur/MG19/Getty

The former couple has two children – son Benjamin Rein (14) and daughter Vivian Lake (11). Brady, 46, also has a son, Jack, 16, from a previous relationship.

Gisele Bündchen Talks Growing Up After Tom Brady Divorce: ‘Breakups Are Never Easy’

In July, after rumors surfaced that a summer romance was brewing between the retired NFL quarterback and model Irina Shayk, Bündchen wished her ex well.

At the time, a source told PEOPLE that his ex-wife “is currently on vacation in Brazil living her life, but she has said in the past that she just wants him to be happy.”

Gisele Bundchen.

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

In a wide-ranging exclusive interview published in September, Bündchen told PEOPLE that she made herself a priority.

“When you feel good, you’re a better mom, you’re a better friend, you’re calmer, more patient, you’re more loving, you’re more down-to-earth. So you can’t feel guilty about prioritizing yourself. Because it’s loving yourself and loving the people you love the most, which will affect how well you are. Because if you are sick, everyone is hurt,” she said.

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Source: HIS Education