Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa paid tribute to the late basketball player and the couple’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna in a heartbreaking Instagram post after the pair were tragically killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday (January 26, 2020).
Just hours after updating her profile picture on the site to a shot of Kobe and Gianna, Vanessa shared a lengthy post to thank everyone for their support and prayers after the tragedy, which also claimed the lives of a further seven people.
“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,” she wrote, alongside a recent picture of her family.
“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.”
Admitting she “takes comfort in knowing that Kobe and Gigi both knew that they were so deeply loved”, Vanessa continued to add there “aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now”.
“I’m not sure what our lives hold beyond today, and it’s impossible to imagine life without them,” she wrote. “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.”
Vanessa also used the post to announce the launch of the MambaOnThree Fund, as part of the Kobe’s youth sports charity the Mamba Sports Foundation, to help support the families of those killed in the crash.
“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,” she concluded.
