A prominent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) instructor and co-founder of the Valente Brothers Academy in Miami, Joaquim Valente, owes much of his success to his parents, Pedro Valente Sr. and Alice Maria da Silveira.
Joaquim Valente was born to his father, Dr. Pedro Valente Sr., and his mother, Alice Valente, in 1989.
Valente followed in his father’s footsteps, Pedro Valente Sr., a distinguished plastic surgeon and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Grandmaster.
Not to forget, Pedro Sr. is one of only six individuals awarded the red belt by Grandmaster Hélio Gracie, a founder of BJJ.
He was also Rio de Janeiro’s Secretary of Health and Secretary of Transportation at different points in his career.
Pedro Sr’s passion for martial arts began in 1953 when he started training under Hélio Gracie in Rio de Janeiro.
His commitment to Jiu-Jitsu extended beyond personal practice; he became a significant figure in its global spread, particularly through his sons, Pedro Jr., Gui, and Joaquim.
While his father was out in public, his mother, Alice Maria De Silveira, stayed away from the limelight and always ensured their academics were on point.
Joaquim Valente’s Father, Pedro SR., Introduced Him To Jiu-Jitsu At An Early Age!
Valente’s father, Pedro Sr., introduced Jiu-Jitsu to him and his brother at the age of two.
In a 2019 interview with the Valente Brothers Academy, Joaquim recalled his father’s early influence, stating,
My father started us in Jiu-Jitsu when we were very young, at two years old. It was part of our upbringing, a way to learn discipline and respect.
Joaquim has publicly acknowledged his father’s sacrifices in preserving and promoting Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
In a 2020 Instagram post by the Valente Brothers, Joaquim and his brothers wrote,
Our father sacrificed so much to keep the legacy of Grandmaster Hélio Gracie alive. His dedication to teaching us the authentic techniques and philosophy of Jiu-Jitsu is why we are here today.
Let alone the Valente, his father, Pedro Sr. also mutually acknowledges his son’s efforts in carrying forward his legacy.
In a 2018 Valente Brothers Academy video, he said,
I am proud of Pedro, Gui, and Joaquim for their hard work in spreading Jiu-Jitsu. They have honored the sacrifices I made by teaching with integrity and respect.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente started dating Gisele Bündchen, the ex-wife of NFL player and sportscaster Tom Brady, in June 2023.
- Valente and Gisele Bündchen welcomed their first child in February 2025.
