WATCH: Vanessa Bryant Pays Tribute to Kobe Bryant, Gianna, and Others Who Left Us in 2020

It was Michael Jordan who famously said, “When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died” with tears in his eyes. But it also was as if he was speaking on the behalf of at least tens of millions of fans around the world.

When Kobe and his beautiful brave heart daughter left the world, no one knew that it was the beginning of the end for many others. The pandemic knocked on the doors and brought about a tsunami of lost lives. The year 2020 gave a lot, but certainly took away much more. Who better than Kobe’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, to understand and acknowledge this?

Vanessa Bryant pays tribute to late Kobe Bryant

In a recently published memorial segment, 38-YO Vanessa had something to say for everyone, including her own losses. The occasion was the TIME Person of the Year presentation that aired Thursday night on NBC, where a prerecorded video of Vanessa’s speech was played. 

In a very emotional tone, she expressed, “Words can not do justice to the grief we felt this year. Tonight we mourn the people we all knew and the many we never will. May our collective grief unites us on the path forward.”

The mother of four beautiful daughters added, “We said goodbye to husbands, daughters, wives, sons, grandparents, friends, and national heroes. We continue to count the lives surrendered to this cruel pandemic, which has claimed well over a million souls, worldwide.” 

The video also took note of other prominent personalities that the world lost in 2020. 

Vanessa’s Instagram is full of posts dedicated to throwbacks and tributes

Just a fortnight ago, Vanessa dropped a heartwarming Insta post, revealing the first time she met with Kobe. Believably, it was love at first sight for both of them. She keeps surprising her followers with one or the other throwback picture of the Black Mamba. This is actually one thoughtful initiative by her because she remains the only source of rare Kobe moments for all his fans.

Also this past week, she threw a grand party to celebrate the fourth birthday of their daughter Bianka. Vanessa tries her best to ensure the kids do not feel the emptiness of not having a father figure to guide them. She is a super-mom, and is now playing the role of a dad as well.