Barack Obama on Kobe Bryant’s Death: ‘Nothing Is More Heartbreaking’ – Variety

As each day passes with the current POTUS, we realize just how much we miss our forever president, Barack Obama. Following the widespread panic worldwide due to the increasingly deadly coronavirus outbreak, Obama decided to offer words of calm and wisdom as only he can, to get us through.

Throughout his life, Kobe Bryant was an incredibly proud #GirlDad. The basketball icon was the father of four daughters he shared with widow Vanessa Bryant — Natalia, 17, Bianka, 3, Capri 8 mos., and Gianna, who tragically passed with Kobe at the age of 13.

By Bruce Haring

Vanessa Bryant mourned the death of her late husband Kobe Bryant during her first official public appearance after the NBA star’s lost his life alongside their 13-year-old daughter Gianna in a tragic helicopter crash that took place on January 26, 2020. On February 24, fans, friends and family members gathered inside the Staples Center to pay tribute to Kobe and Gianna.

Christina Aguilera took the stage at Los Angeles' Staples Center on Monday (Feb. 24) to deliver an emotional performance of "Ave Maria" at Kobe and Gianna Bryant's Celebration of Life ceremony.

Fans paid tribute to Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant with a celebration of life service on Monday.  Attendees arrived at the Los Angeles Staples Center—often referred to as "the house that Kobe built"—in their Lakers team attire and were given booklets featuring photos of the Bryant family.  The date of the public memorial—2/24/20—held significance for the Bryant family. Two and 24 represented the numbers that appeared on Gianna's and Kobe's basketball jerseys, respectively.

Christina Aguilera used her legendary voice to honor another icon.  During a public memorial held on Monday inside the Staples Center for Kobe Bryant, who tragically died in a helicopter crash nearly a month ago, the Grammy-winning songstress took the stage to pay tribute to the late basketball great and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Bryant.  Donning black, the performer soulfully belted out a rendition of the classic "Ave Maria" while backed by musicians.

Fans and loved ones gathered at the Los Angeles Staples Center on Monday to honor the late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant with a celebration of life service. The date—February 24, 2020—was truly significant.

Kobe Bryant's legacy still lives on. Just last month, the basketball legend passed away in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif.

Stars are coming out in droves to the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday for the «Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant» service, honoring the former L.A. Lakers star and his 13-year-old daughter.

If this city would talk, it could tell some incredible stories. 

Barack Obama paid a heartfelt tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, during an NBA All-Star event and said nothing is more heartbreaking as a parent than losing children. Kobe died in a helicopter crash on January 26 alongside his 13-year-old daughter.

The NBA All-Star Game brings all kinds of people to its host city, and with Chicago handling those duties it seems inevitable that former president Barack Obama joined the festivities this weekend.

Barack Obama sure knows how to surprise people!

Barack Obama surprised some young NBA pros by stopping by Friday’s All-Star NBA Cares event.

Pop the bubbly!

The Bryant's are staying strong. 

Brandy has broken her silence about the death of Kobe Bryant, who had taken her to his high school prom more than 20 years ago, and weeks before he was drafted to the NBA.