On Monday, Kobe Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, bravely took the podium to celebrate the lives of the Los Angeles Lakers great and his daughter, Gigi.
In a 21-minute outpouring of love and emotion, Vanessa Bryant honored her lost family members in front of supportive and adoring NBA greats, current stars and fans.
Vanessa Bryant speaks about her daughter, Gigi.
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Vanessa Bryant remembers Kobe: “Babe, take care of our Gigi. And I got Nani, Bibi and Coco. We’re still the best team.”
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“Gianna Bryant is an amazing, sweet and gentle soul,” Vanessa Bryant began. “She was always thoughtful. She always kissed me goodnight and kissed me good morning.”
She then went on to talk about the relationship between her late daughter and husband.
“She was very much like her daddy, in that they both liked helping people learn new things and master them,” she said. “They were great teachers. Gigi was very sweet. She always made sure everyone was okay. She was our shepherd.”
Vanessa Bryant of course also honored her late husband. She ended her speech with a heart-wrenching message to her lost loved one.
“God knew they couldn’t be on this earth without each other,” she said of Kobe Bryant and his daughter. “He had to bring them home to heaven together.
“Babe, you take care of our Gigi. And I got Nani (Natalia Diamante Bryant), Bibi (Bianka Bella Bryant) and Coco (Capri Kobe Bryant). We’re the best team. We love and miss you BooBoo (Kobe Bryant) and Gigi. May you both rest in peace and have fun in heaven until we meet again one day. We love you both and miss you. Forever and always, Mommy.”
Since Kobe Bryant’s passing in late January, the entire basketball world has come out to support Vanessa Bryant and her family.
Through her speech, it is clear that while Vanessa Bryant is in unimaginable pain over the loss of her loved ones, she is strong enough to carry on and make sure that the memory of her late husband and daughter is never forgotten.
