- Tom Brady has revealed that his new dog, Junie, is a clone of his beloved pit bull mix, Lua, who passed away in December 2023.
- The cloning was performed by Colossal Biosciences, a biotech company in which Brady is an investor, using a blood sample taken from Lua before her death.
- The announcement comes as Colossal acquires Viagen Pets and Equine, the same company famous for cloning the dogs of celebrities like Barbra Streisand and Paris Hilton.
- Brady stated the technology gave his family a “second chance” with their beloved pet, raising both intrigue and debate among fans.
A Second Chance Through Science
In a move that has surprised fans and animal lovers, retired NFL quarterback Tom Brady has revealed that his new dog, Junie, is a clone of his late and much-loved dog, Lua. The family mourned the loss of Lua, a pit bull mix Brady shared with ex-wife Gisele Bündchen and their children, in December 2023. Nearly two years later, the truth behind the strikingly similar new puppy has been unveiled.
The Company Behind the Clone
The cloning process was handled by Colossal Biosciences, a Dallas-based biotechnology and genetic engineering company. Brady is not just a client but also an investor in the firm, which is renowned for its ambitious “de-extinction” projects, including efforts to revive the dire wolf and the dodo bird.
Brady’s announcement strategically coincided with the news that Colossal has acquired Viagen Pets and Equine. Viagen is a leader in animal cloning and genetics, having famously cloned Barbra Streisand’s dog Samantha in 2017 and provided Paris Hilton with two clones of her dog Diamond Baby in 2022. This acquisition solidifies Colossal’s dominance in the genetic preservation and cloning space, a trend that is clearly gaining traction among high-profile figures.
Brady’s Emotional Connection
In a statement, Brady expressed his deep affection for his pets and explained the decision to clone Lua. “I love my animals. They mean the world to me and my family,” the former NFL star said. “A few years ago, I worked with Colossal and leveraged their non-invasive cloning technology through a simple blood draw of our family’s elderly dog before she passed.”
He added that the company “gave my family a second chance with a clone of our beloved dog,” highlighting the personal and emotional reasons behind the controversial scientific procedure.
A Tribute to a Lost Friend
Lua was a cherished member of the Brady-Bündchen household for years. When she passed away in December 2023, both Brady and Bündchen shared heartfelt tributes on social media. “Our little Lulu, our guardian angel is gone to heaven,” the supermodel wrote. “She will forever live in our hearts.” Brady echoed the sentiment, stating Lua was “forever in our hearts.”
The Commercial Star
Lua was not just a family pet but also a minor celebrity herself, having starred alongside Brady in a 2014 commercial for Ugg Australia, cementing her place in the public’s eye.
Beyond Pets: The Future of Cloning
While cloning pets is a major part of its business, Colossal is more widely known for its groundbreaking work in attempting to bring back extinct species. The company made headlines for its dire wolf project and announced a scientific breakthrough in its efforts to de-extinct the dodo bird. Brady’s collaboration sheds a mainstream light on the capabilities of genetic technology, blurring the lines between grief, companionship, and the frontiers of science.