Vanessa Bryant Gives Emotional Tribute To Husband Kobe And Daughter Gianna At Memorial

Feb 25, 2020 by apost team

During "A Celebration of Life" at the Staples Center, grieving wife and mother Vanessa Bryant gave an emotional eulogy for the late Kobe Bryant and their daughter, Gianna "Gigi" Bryant. 

Vanessa Bryant's speech began with her sharing memories of her daughter, "Gigi." Vanessa said:

"Gianna Bryant is an amazingly sweet and gentle soul. She was always thoughtful. She was daddy's girl but I know she loved her mamma. She was one of my very best friends. Kobe always said she was me; she had my fire, my personality, and sarcasm, but she was tender and loving on the inside...We will not be able to see Gianna go to high school with [her big sister] Natalia. We didn't get the chance ot teach her how to drive a car. I won't be able to tell her how gorgeous she looks on her wedding day. I'll never get to see my baby girl walk down the aisle, have a father-daughter dance with her daddy... or have babies of her own... I miss you, all of you, every day."

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As Vanessa moved from reminiscing about Gianna to her "soulmate" Kobe, Vanessa said:

"I couldn't see him as a celebrity, nor just an incredible basketball player. He was my sweet husband and the beautiful father of our children. I have no idea how I deserved a man who loved or wanted me more than Kobe."

Vanessa went on to share an anecdote about how Kobe had purchased the physical notebook and Allie's blue dress from The Notebook movie for her. She said, "we had hoped to grow old together like the movie."

"They were so easy to love," Bryant said about Kobe and Gianna. She went on about her husband:

"We loved each other with our whole beings, two perfectly imperfect people making a beautiful family and raising our sweet and amazing girls. Kobe was the MVP or girl dads, or MVD. He never left the toilet seat up. He always told the girls how beautiful and smart they are. He taught them how to be brave."

Vanessa and Kobe got married in 2001. Vanessa said during her eulogy that she was Kobe's first girlfriend, as they had met when she was 17-years-old.

After Kobe and Gianna's tragic helicopter crash on January 26th, after days of silence, Vanessa took to her Instagram to express her gratitude to "the millions of people who've shown support and love during this horrific time."

We hope Kobe, Gianna, and the other victims rest in peace.

What did you think about Vanessa's touching tribute to her late husband and daughter? Did you watch the memorial in person or via livestream? Let us know what you think and pass this on to others so they can give us their thoughts as well.