Camille Kostek is shedding light on the less glamorous reality of being in a relationship with a professional athlete. Reflecting on her time as a New England Patriots WAG, Kostek opened up about what life was really like while her boyfriend, Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski, was still playing in the NFL.
Kostek, 33, shared that she faced criticism from other NFL wives due to not being married to her longtime partner, former tight end Rob Gronkowski, 36. The Sports Illustrated model admitted the judgment was a regular part of her experience during Gronkowski’s playing days.
Feb 10, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Camille Kostek appears on the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors awards presentation at YouTube Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Feb 10, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Camille Kostek appears on the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors awards presentation at YouTube Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
“I felt like I was seen as a lesser-than girlfriend because I didn’t have a ring on my finger,” Kostek said during an episode of Kristin Cavallari’s Honestly Cavallari: The Headline Tour, according to Us Weekly.
However, things came full circle for Kostek, who had been in an on-and-off relationship with Gronkowski for a decade. “The woman that’s coming to mind [who] judged me the most, she’s divorced,” Rob Gronkowski’s girlfriend revealed.
Camille Kostek and Rob Gronkowski’s relationship
Dec 6, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and his girlfriend, Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Camille Kostek pose for the Jumbotron during the second half of the game between the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Dec 6, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and his girlfriend, Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Camille Kostek pose for the Jumbotron during the second half of the game between the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
The pair crossed paths in 2013 and began dating by 2015. Though they’ve shared over ten years of history, their relationship wasn’t without its struggles—they hit a rough patch two years in, leading to their first breakup.
“First breakup was in 2017, but I think that some of the best things that changed the trajectory of my life came from this f—ing breakup that broke me but also allowed me to get in the zone. I didn’t care about dating. I felt like I was asexual,” Kostek continued.
Looking back, the breakup gave Camille Kostek the chance to refocus and chase a major dream—gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.
Kostek achieved her goal by landing the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover in 2019.
Jun 19, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Camille Kostek is pictured on the red carpet during the 2019 NHL Awards at Mandalay Bay. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Camille Kostek is pictured on the red carpet during the 2019 NHL Awards at Mandalay Bay. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
In a May 2024 interview with Fox News Digital, she revealed she had bent NFL guidelines to be with Rob Gronkowski. “I broke that one, but I kept it a secret for a little while. It was worth it in the end.”
In 2023, Gronkowski told PEOPLE that he and Kostek had “definitely talked about” getting engaged, but admitted the timing was challenging since “we’re both super busy with our careers right now.”