Vanessa Bryant is speaking out for the first time since the shocking deaths of her husband Kobe Bryant and 13-year-old daughter Gianna, who were killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday (January 26) alongside seven other people.
On Wednesday (January 29), the grieving widow took to her Instagram account to express not only her sorrow but also the immense gratitude for the millions of people who reached out. Kobe is survived by Vanessa and their three other daughters — Natalia, 17, Bianka, 7, and Capri, seven months.
“My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time,” she began. “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 to 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.”
Vanessa continued, “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.”
Vanessa went on to say their love for Kobe and Gianna is “endless” and “immeasurable.” She also announced the Mamba Sports Foundation has set up a special fund to assist the other families through the ordeal, while requesting privacy.
“Thank you for sharing your joy, your grief and your support with us,” she continued. “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 to the MambaOn Three Fund, head here.
Damn
We know, Van. Sending prayers to your family right now. The king will rise!!!
To all the trolls over here: Just don’t…not this time, ok
Go outside and have a walk and enjoy the life you‘ve been blessed with.
Misery loves company. It’s pathetic but so are they and this is what makes them happy.
I hear it was a iIIuminutty blood sacrifice
This shit crazy sad man.. but this is the reality of life.. the only thing thats guaranteed is death..
Yup, it’s very sad and I’m sure so hard to deal with… But that is life. Cherish it while your here, because we might not ever get another.
It’s really disgusting to see the world mourn for kobe. That guy was a sexual predator and we should be celebrating that a bad guy is now gone. I understand mourning about the rest and I understand vannessa mourning for Kobe since she still loved him but it sickens me that the world mourns a sexual predator. It’s like praising bill cosby or harvey Weinstein
Your disgusting. Asking to celebrate his death over something he wasn’t convicted for that happened a long time ago. Everyone wants to pretend they know the details of what happened but nobody actually knows shit. He wasn’t just a celebrity athlete. He was a father and he did a lot of good for a lot of people. I’m glad it sickens you. Eat a dick. R.I.P Kobe.
Your pathetic! Your mother should have swallowed you, the accuser didn’t want criminal court but civil. That wouldn’t sound off any alarms in your pathetic little brain. You should jump in front of a speeding dump truck.people like you make the world shitty
Kobe Bryant’s WIFE? More like- Kobe Bryant’s Wife’s ATTORNEY typed this. I went to school to be an attorney and I’m 100 percent sure that a lawyer typed that “heartfelt” message. Just read it and also, that man’s wife would be too distraught and heartbroken to type such a lengthy post. A lawyer typed that. In any event, rest well to ALL NINE victims of this horrific tragedy. Well, all victims except that inept, negligent wannabe pilot. Who attempts to pilot a helicopter without checking to see how the weather and conditions are gonna be?
Eat a dick Idna. Kobe Bryant 4 Ever hoe