Tom Brady Reveals His Dog Junie Was Cloned from His Late Pet Lua — The Emotional Story and Science Behind the NFL Legend’s Bold Decision
Tom Brady has always been known for rewriting the rules of what’s possible — first in football, and now, it seems, in science. The seven-time Super Bowl champion shocked fans this week by revealing that his dog Junie is not just a look-alike of his late pit bull mix, Lua — she’s actually a clone.
Brady shared the news nearly two years after Lua’s death in December 2023, explaining that he worked with Colossal Biosciences and Viagen Pets and Equine to bring Junie into his life. “I love my animals. They mean the world to me and my family,” Brady said in a statement. “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. In a few short months, Colossal gave my family a second chance with a clone of our beloved dog.”
It’s a revelation that mixes science, emotion, and controversy in equal measure. Lua was beloved by both Brady and his ex-wife Gisele Bündchen, appearing in family photos, home videos, and even a 2014 UGG campaign. When she passed away, both shared touching tributes. Gisele wrote on Instagram at the time, “Our little Lua, our guardian angel, you will forever live in our hearts.”
For Brady, the loss clearly left a mark. Lua had been with him for more than a decade, through NFL triumphs and family milestones. Her passing symbolized the end of an era — not only for the Brady household, but for fans who had seen her as part of his larger-than-life story. But instead of saying goodbye forever, Brady turned to biotechnology for what he calls a “second chance.”
The process that made Junie possible involves taking cells from Lua before her death and using advanced cloning technology to create a genetically identical animal. Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based company better known for its ambitious “de-extinction” projects like bringing back the woolly mammoth and the dodo, recently acquired Viagen Pets and Equine, the world’s leading pet-cloning company. Viagen’s methods are highly specialized — cloning a dog typically costs between $50,000 and $85,000 and takes several months to complete.
While the company says the process is safe and ethical, critics argue it raises deep moral questions. Does cloning a pet truly bring them back, or simply replicate their genetic blueprint? Is it an act of love — or a refusal to accept loss?
Brady, however, sees it differently. He says cloning Lua wasn’t about “playing God,” but about love, memory, and family. “Junie is not a scientific experiment,” he told People. “She’s family.”
The dog, a brown-and-tan pit bull mix nearly identical to Lua, now lives with Brady and his children, Benjamin and Vivian. Fans who follow Brady’s social media have already noticed Junie’s striking resemblance to Lua, from her markings to her soulful eyes. For those closest to Brady, Junie is both a comfort and a living reminder of the bond they once shared with Lua.
Still, not everyone is convinced. Animal rights groups have long questioned the ethics of cloning, arguing that it can involve failed attempts and surrogate animals used in the process. The Humane Society has publicly opposed pet cloning, saying that while cloning may replicate an animal’s DNA, it cannot recreate the individual’s personality, behavior, or memories.
Even among fans, reactions were mixed. “It’s kind of weird,” sports media figure Dave Portnoy said on The Dave Portnoy Show. “I mean, it’s his dog, do what you want — but cloning your pet feels straight out of a sci-fi movie.” Social media echoed the same split: some calling it “creepy,” others “heartwarming.”
For Brady, it appears to be a personal choice driven more by emotion than science. His statement through Colossal framed the cloning as part of a larger vision — not just for family comfort, but for conservation and animal welfare. “I’m excited how Colossal and Viagen’s tech together can help both families losing their beloved pets while helping to save endangered species,” Brady said.
Indeed, Colossal has been positioning itself at the frontier of biotechnology. The company’s work includes genetic projects to rewild ecosystems using extinct species — from the woolly mammoth in Siberia to the dodo bird in Mauritius. Cloning Lua, while personal, also serves as a tangible showcase of their capabilities in the consumer market.
But beyond the science, this story is deeply human. Losing a pet is one of the most personal heartbreaks a family can face. Pets anchor us through life’s chaos — their loyalty a quiet constant. For Brady, whose public image has long been defined by precision, victory, and control, the decision to clone Lua reflects something different: vulnerability. It’s about love refusing to let go.
Lua wasn’t just a pet; she was part of his family’s emotional fabric. In many ways, cloning her became Brady’s way of preserving that connection. For someone whose life has been measured in records and legacies, perhaps cloning offered the ultimate version of continuity — the same way fans once watched him defy time on the field.
Yet there’s irony, too. Brady, the master of reinvention, is now redefining what it means to move on. In Junie, he’s found both comfort and controversy — a symbol of love’s persistence and of how modern technology blurs the line between past and present.
What remains unclear is how Gisele and the children view the decision. While Gisele hasn’t commented publicly, those close to the family say Junie has been embraced in their household. The children, who grew up with Lua, reportedly see Junie as “Lua’s baby” — a comforting bridge between memory and now.
Scientists say that while Junie’s DNA is identical to Lua’s, environmental factors will shape her personality differently. “A cloned pet will look the same,” Viagen’s director of research has said, “but they’re still individuals. They’ll develop their own quirks, habits, and traits.” In other words, Junie isn’t Lua reborn — she’s Lua’s genetic twin with a life of her own.
As Brady embarks on this new chapter, the story of Junie serves as both inspiration and conversation starter. It invites us to rethink how love, loss, and science collide in the modern world. What would you do if you had the chance to bring back a lost loved one — even in part? Would you take it?
For Brady, that question already has an answer. Junie’s presence seems to bring him peace. He often posts glimpses of her on social media — playful, alert, happy — the same way Lua once was. To him, she’s not a product of science, but of devotion.
The revelation has placed Tom Brady once again at the center of public fascination. Whether viewed as groundbreaking or unsettling, his decision underscores a truth that transcends fame: grief is universal, and love — even through technology — is an instinct that defies boundaries.
As the world debates the ethics of cloning, Brady seems content with his choice. “Every time I look at Junie,” he told People, “I see Lua. And I smile.”
