Supermodel Gisele Bundchen has shared her deep inner suffering during the height of her modeling career, including a terrifying time when she thought about taking her own life, in a heartbreaking admission. Her experience illuminates the covert pressures that even the most successful celebrities may face.
The well-known model Gisele revealed that, when living on the ninth floor of her apartment building, she had struggled with suicidal thoughts. The admission was made in an interview with journalist Lee Cowan for ‘CBS News Sunday Morning,’ which will air on September 24.
The supermodel from Brazil described the severe anxiety and panic attacks that she experienced during her demanding profession. “I was in tunnels, you know. I was unable to breathe. And after that, I started working in studios, where I felt suffocated, she said.
Gisele experienced the frightening incident while residing on the ninth level and chose to use the stairs rather than ride in the elevator out of fear of becoming stuck. I’d be hyperventilating, she said, “You know that feeling you get when you can’t breathe even with the windows open and you think, ‘I don’t want to live like this, you know what I mean?'”
Finding Light and a New Perspective
When asked if she had ever considered jumping from the building during that dark time, Gisele responded, “Yeah. For, like, a second.”
Her revelations about such suicidal thoughts process first she encountered in 2018, ahead of the release of her memoir, ‘Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life.’ Speaking to People magazine at that time, she said, “I actually had the feeling of, ‘If I just jump off my roof, this is going to end, and I never have to worry about this feeling of my world closing in.”
In her own words, the former Victoria’s Secret model admitted that she felt as though “everything in (her) life was going to kill (her).” “The idea swept over me then, maybe it will be easier if I just jump,” she said in her memoirs. Everything will be over. I can escape from this.
Considering the difficult times she went through, Gisele stressed in a recent conversation that she is now in a new place and has discovered a more positive outlook on life. I can choose more of what I want, she said. Before today, I believe I was more focused on surviving than on living, which is different.
Life beyond the Catwalk
Gisele Bundchen previously held the title of the highest-paid model in the world with an estimated $17.5 million in annual earnings, she revealed final bye to the catwalk in 2015. With countless high-profile advertisements for companies like Victoria’s Secret, Iconic, and Louis Vuitton, her fame is still shining brightly.
During the CBS interview, Gisele discussed her personal life in addition to her professional journey. She admitted that she had never thought of leaving her husband, the late Tom Brady of the NFL. Their marriage reportedly suffered as a result of an “epic fight” over Brady’s sudden decision to “UN-retire” from football six months earlier, according to sources.
The open revelation made by Gisele Bundchen is a potent reminder that even people who seem to have it all must battle their inner demons. Her experience might encourage others to look for support and hope when things are at their worst.