With the world still processing the fatal helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, 13-year-old daughter Gigi, and seven others, the NBA legend’s wife Vanessa Bryant has broken her silence.
Her words below…
Speaking via Instagram, the star’s wife of 19-years said:
My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time. Thank you for all the prayers. We definitely need them. We are completely devastated by the sudden loss of my adoring husband, Kobe — the amazing father of our children; and my beautiful, sweet Gianna — a loving, thoughtful, and wonderful daughter, and amazing sister to Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.
We are also devastated for the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday, and we share in their grief intimately.
There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now. I take comfort in knowing that Kobe and Gigi both knew that they were so deeply loved. We were so incredibly blessed to have them in our lives. I wish they were here with us forever. They were our beautiful blessings taken from us too soon.
I’m not sure what our lives hold beyond today, and it’s impossible to imagine life without them. But we wake up each day, trying to keep pushing because Kobe, and our baby girl, Gigi, are shining on us to light the way. Our love for them is endless — and that’s to say, immeasurable. I just wish I could hug them, kiss them and bless them. Have them here with us, forever.
Thank you for sharing your joy, your grief and your support with us. We ask that you grant us the respect and privacy we will need to navigate this new reality.
To honor our Team Mamba family, the Mamba Sports Foundation has set up the MambaOnThree Fund to help support the other families affected by this tragedy. To donate, please go to MambaOnThree.org.
To further Kobe and Gianna’s legacy in youth sports, please visit MambaSportsFoundation.org.Thank you so much for lifting us up in your prayers, and for loving Kobe, Gigi, Natalia, Bianka, Capri and me. #Mamba#Mambacita#GirlsDad#DaddysGirls#Family ❤️
Our sincerest thoughts and prayers are with Vanessa, the children, and all impacted by this tragedy.
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Oh man the pain and numbness they must be feeling and having to wake up each day to relive this reality. God give them strength ??
I’m so sorry for your lost! Kobe was the best! Gigi is adorable and watching all of us they both are! I’m in so shock to believe they are gone and saddens me to see each of his daughters are hurting along with the women of his dreams. So sorry for your lost. From the Santiago family!
There’s simply no silver lining to this tragedy. I pray that she finds inner peace somehow
this picture of the family is so beautiful, wow. devastating. I don’t follow basketball like that but it really hit me how big Kobe was as an worldwide icon beyond the court when I opened my closet and realized I actually own his Lakers jersey. It’s also heartbreaking when you think what a girl with Kobe’s last name could have done to raise the profile and bar for female basketball worldwide. really sorry for their loss and I’m sending all positive thoughts to Vanessa and her kids.
I literally can’t stop crying man