Vanessa Bryant is reportedly holding strong after the death of her husband Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant, according to People magazine.
What’s going on: Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna died Sunday in a helicopter crash, sending shockwaves through Hollywood, sports culture and the world.
- Plenty of support has trickled in for the Bryant family. NBA players have changed their numbers to honor Kobe Bryant. The Grammys performed an honorary song for the late star, too.
Update: Close friends to the Bryant family told People magazine that Vanessa Bryant is trying to hold strong in the wake of her husband’s death, according to People magazine.
- Friend (via People magazine): “It’s an extremely difficult and devastating time for Vanessa and the whole family.”
- Unnamed insider (via People magazine): “She can hardly keep it together. She can’t finish a sentence without crying. But she is working very hard to pull it together for the other girls. She now has to be the strong one.”
- Insider (via People magazine): “Of course, you can never be prepared for this. Despite their ups and downs, (Vanessa and Kobe) were soulmates. She thought of him as her partner for life.”
- The source said Vanessa “is surrounded by people who love her and love Kobe. She has a good support system. She is relying on her faith. She is not alone. But she will be grieving this for a very long time,” per People magazine.
More reaction: Reports on Tuesday suggested that Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa had a pact to never fly in a helicopter together, according to my report for the Deseret News.