Candice Swanepoel's love life before Tom Brady headlines included a decade-long romance

T om Brady's love life has remained a subject of fascination since his retirement from the NFL, and recent headlines involving the seven-time Super Bowl champion have once again drawn attention to the women linked to him. Among the names attracting interest is international supermodel Candice Swanepoel, whose romantic history includes a relationship that lasted more than a decade and resulted in two children.

But before speculation about Brady entered the picture, Swanepoel had already experienced a lengthy relationship with Brazilian model Hermann Nicoli. The former couple spent years together, got engaged and welcomed two sons before eventually ending their romance in 2018.

Swanepoel, one of Victoria's Secret's most recognizable Angels, has built an international career that extends well beyond the fashion runway. She has also established herself as an entrepreneur, founding swimwear and resortwear brand Tropic of C, while balancing motherhood and her modeling commitments.

Her appearance at the 2026 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show offered another reminder of her staying power in the fashion industry. At 37, the South African model continues to attract attention, both professionally and personally. However, unlike some of the high-profile relationships surrounding celebrities and professional athletes, Swanepoel has generally preferred to keep her private life away from the spotlight.

Hermann Nicoli: The relationship that lasted more than a decade

Swanepoel's most significant publicly known relationship was with Nicoli, whom she met in Paris while both were pursuing modeling careers. She was just 17 years old when she left South Africa to pursue opportunities in the fashion industry. Nicoli, then 23, had traveled from Brazil for similar reasons.

The two met during the summer in Paris and began dating shortly afterward. Their relationship developed alongside their respective careers, eventually becoming one of the longest-lasting romances associated with the Victoria's Secret model.

In a 2010 interview with GQ, Swanepoel spoke about their relationship and revealed that they had already been together for four years. "We've been together for four years now. Since I was 17. We met in Paris one summer and he's been there for me ever since," she explained. She also offered an idea of what she appreciated about her partner, describing her ideal man as someone relaxed and laid-back who could encourage her to slow down.

When asked whether she had found someone like that, her answer was straightforward: " Hermann Nicoli. " After approximately 10 years together, the couple announced their engagement in 2015. According to reports at the time, Swanepoel was delighted with the proposal, although marriage was not necessarily an immediate priority. In an interview with HELLO! Magazine , she explained that their lengthy relationship already felt like a marriage.

Motherhood and the arrival of two sons

Their relationship entered a new chapter when they became parents. In October 2016, Swanepoel and Nicoli welcomed their first son, Anacã. The model shared moments from her experience as a mother while continuing to work in the fashion industry.

The family expanded again in June 2018, when Swanepoel gave birth to their second son, Ariel. She had announced her second pregnancy in December 2017. For a time, the couple appeared to have built the family life they envisioned after years together. However, their relationship was approaching its end.

In 2018, speculation about a possible separation intensified after fans noticed that Swanepoel and Nicoli had unfollowed each other on Instagram. The model eventually addressed the rumors herself. During an Instagram Stories question-and-answer session in November 2018, she confirmed that she was single.

Their separation marked the end of a relationship that had begun when Swanepoel was a teenager and continued through some of the most important years of her modeling career. Although they went their separate ways romantically, their two sons remain an important part of their lives.

From Hermann Nicoli to Tom Brady headlines

Swanepoel's name has attracted renewed attention amid headlines involving Tom Brady, whose personal life continues to generate interest following his separation from supermodel Gisele Bündchen. B rady and Bündchen were married for 13 years before announcing their divorce in October 2022.

The former NFL quarterback, who won six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and another with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has since been linked to several high-profile women. Swanepoel's connection to the conversation has generated curiosity about her romantic history, particularly her long relationship with Nicoli and her life as a mother of two.

Still, it is important to distinguish public speculation from confirmed relationships. Swanepoel has not publicly established a new long-term partnership since her separation from Nicoli, and her appearance in headlines involving Brady does not, by itself, confirm a romance.