Kobe Bryant's wife Vanessa speaks out for the first time since NBA star's death: 'We are completely devastated'
Late basketball legend Kobe Bryant's widowed wife Vanessa Bryant opened up since the devastating loss of her husband and daughter, Gianna, 13 who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday, January 26.
Kobe was just 41 when he passed away. On Wednesday, Vanessa, 37, took to Instagram to pen down an emotional and tear-jerking message where she told fans that she is "devastated" over the loss of her "adoring" husband and their "beautiful" daughter Gianna.
Vanessa asked for a continued respect for her family’s privacy as they begin to “navigate this new reality.”
She also thanked "the millions of people" for their love and support. Vanessa wrote, "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," she continued.
She went on to share that she is not sure how the family will recover from their tragic and sudden deaths and that she and the family will "keep pushing". "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," she shared.
She also announced that the Mamba Sports Foundation has set up a charity for the seven other victims of the crash: John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, Christina Mauser and pilot Ara Zobayan. "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," Vanessa concluded.