Cameron Spencer/Getty Images(RIO DE JANEIRO) — Gisele Bundchen is one of the many taking part in the opening ceremony for the Summer Olympics. Still, the moment is made even more special for the fashion model who was born in rural Brazil.
“This is a very special moment for my country and I am humbled that they invited me to be a part of such a special celebration,” she told People magazine ahead of the ceremony.
Bundchen walked the world’s longest runway while “The Girl From Ipanema” plays.
Bundchen, 36, began her modeling career at age 14 in her native Brazil. She later moved to New York City at 16 before becoming a household name.
The Summer Olympics is a sort of family reunion for Bundchen. The model said she’s thrilled to reunite her two children — Benjamin, 5, and Vivian, 3, with husband and NFL player Tom Brady — with the rest of her family for the festivities.
“Most of my family will be here for the ceremony. We just love being together no matter what we are doing,” she said. “My family loves talking and sharing since we don’t get to do that very often. It’s also so nice to have all the kids together and see how they are interacting.”
Although Bundchen couldn’t wait to return to Brazil, many have been hesitant to head to Rio due to safety and health concerns.
The model said, “I feel that there will always be people judging and criticizing no matter what. I believe that there are different ways to look at things; I always chose to focus on the positive because I believe that so much of what we create comes from what we believe.”
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