- Upon ending her relationship with NFL icon Tom Brady, actress and model Bridget Moynahan discovered she was pregnant.
- With the backing of her loved ones, she bravely navigated the challenges of single motherhood.
- Later, in her 40s, she fell in love with her current husband, who stands by her side, assisting in raising her son, whom she co-parents with Brady.
Bridget Moynahan attends the Coach Fragrance launch in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
In December 2006, actress Bridget Moynahan and former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady announced they were parting ways. Moynahan, recognized for her compelling performances in “Blue Bloods,” “Six Degrees,” and “Sex and the City,” and Brady, celebrated for his Super Bowl victories, went on separate paths after dating for three years.
Bridget Moynahan and Tom Brady attend the 2004 ESPY Awards after-party | Source: Getty Images
Soon after parting ways, Brady, featured in People’s 2002 list of 50 Most Beautiful People, started a new relationship with supermodel Gisele Bündchen. Their bond was instant, but it was soon put to the test by an unforeseen revelation. Moynahan found out that she was expecting Brady’s child.
Bridget Moynahan and Tom Brady attend the Ermenegildo Zegna Flagship store opening on April 13, 2004 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
This news surprised Brady and Bündchen, who had only been together for two and a half months. Despite the initial shock, Bündchen found that this unexpected development of events strengthened her relationship with Brady.
Bridget Moynahan seen on August 19, 2006 in Foxborough, Massachusetts | Source: Getty Images
She witnessed his integrity and kindness during this challenging time, which deepened her love for him. She later confessed, “I think it was a blessing, because otherwise I don’t think I would have known what he was made of, and he wouldn’t have known what I was made of.”
Bridget Moynahan at Liz Lange Maternity Boutique in 2007 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, Moynahan was confronted with the reality of becoming a single mother. Being three months pregnant and having separated from the father of her baby, the situation was intimidating, especially since she had always imagined starting a family within a marital setup.
She confessed, “Going through that traumatic time of being heartbroken and then being pregnant turned my whole life upside down and inside out and just knocked the wind out of me.” Fortunately, she had the support of her loved ones.
She accepted her new reality, acknowledging that there are various family structures in today’s world, and single motherhood was one of them. This realization and the joy of becoming a mother helped her navigate this challenging phase of her life.
Bridget Moynahan attends “A Time For Heroes” event sponsored by Disney to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation on June 10, 2007 | Source: Getty Images
She found happiness and satisfaction in her new role, stating, “Now I have a child, and it’s the best thing in the world.” In an October 2021 interview, Moynahan shared her experiences with love and relationships in her 40s. She revealed her understanding that sometimes, to find true love, one needs to venture beyond the familiar.
Bridget Moynahan with her son at the 11th Anniversary Of P.S. Arts “Express Yourself 2008” on November 16, 2008 in Santa Monica, California | Source: Getty Images
Bridget Moynahan with her son John Moynahan at the 2018 tennis US Open on August 29, 2018 in Queens, New York City | Source: Getty Images
Having previously been involved with people in the entertainment industry, she found a refreshing change in her husband, Andrew Frankel. She said, “I met a really solid, good human being with none of the pretension or all that other litter. He’s a really good person and a good partner.”
She emphasized that these qualities, often undervalued in favor of more superficial traits, were what truly mattered in a relationship. A mutual friend reportedly introduced Moynahan and Frankel, and they immediately formed a bond.
The couple tied the knot on October 17, 2015, at Wölffer Estate Vineyards in Sagaponack, New York, in a private ceremony attended by close friends and family, including Moynahan’s son. The next day, Moynahan, who had kept their relationship under wraps, posted a photo on Instagram of the happy couple holding hands and smiling, captioned, “Oh, by the way, guess what I just did.”
Frankel, a New York businessman and Co-President of Stuart Frankel and Co., a Wall Street institutional brokerage firm, joined the firm in 1993. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Economics and started his career with Steinhardt Partners.
Their wedding in an open field in the vineyard reflected the couple’s preference for simplicity and ease. According to their wedding planners, the couple wanted the event to feel more like a large family dinner party than a traditional wedding.
Moynahan chose a unique, fall-inspired gown by J. Mendel for her wedding dress. The custom-made gown had a mermaid shape and featured multiple layers of bias strips. It was described as “pretty, timeless, and elegant, with a hint of wildness.”
To complement the dress, hair accessories designer Susan van der Linde made tiny silk organza rosebuds for Moynahan’s hair, adding movement and texture. Moynahan and Frankel, a father to three sons from a previous relationship, have built a solid and loving family unit.
Moynahan speaks highly of Frankel, describing him as “easy and basic” and appreciating his simplicity and kindness. She shares that even the simplest gestures, like boiling water, are met with enthusiasm and gratitude from Frankel, “He’ll eat basically anything and tell me it’s great.”
His genuine, kind, and sensitive nature has made him an ideal partner in her eyes. Frankel also makes romantic gestures, like the sweet cards he gives Moynahan on special occasions, which testify to his love for her. On their eighth anniversary, he gave her a card that read, “To the woman I’m so glad I married,” accompanied by a drawing of a couple surrounded by hearts.
Moynahan shared this touching gesture on social media, encouraging others to find a partner who expresses their love meaningfully. In a 2019 interview, she expressed her gratitude for the safe and private life she has provided for her son, thanks to her partnership with Frankel.
She reflected on the decision she and Brady made to raise their son together, “Tom and I made a decision to raise a child together, and we both found partners that not only supported us in raising that child but also loved our child as if he was their own.” She believes that her son is surrounded by love, which is the most anyone can hope for.
Bridget Moynahan has experienced the highs and lows of love and motherhood, from her breakup with Tom Brady to her marriage to Frankel. She faced the challenges of being a single mom with courage and grace and found joy in raising her son.
She also welcomed a new love who treated her and her son kindly and respectfully. She and Brady co-parent their son positively and maturely, putting his best interests first. Moynahan’s story is an inspiring example of how to overcome adversity and embrace change.