Kobe Bryant's wife, Vanessa, is trying to "be as strong" as she can, but can hardly "finish a sentence without crying", say family friends.
Some sources told People that Bryant's 37-year-old widow is "surrounded by people who support her," but "you can never be prepared for such a situation."
?Despite the ups and downs between them, they were also close friends. She saw him as a life partner, ?said a source about Vanessa's relationship with Kobe, who passed away with her 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others present in the basketball legend's helicopter.
Vanessa is ?devastated. She can hardly finish a sentence without crying, ?said one source. ?She's trying to be as strong as other girls. Now it has to be stronger than ever. ?
Vanessa has three more daughters to look after: Natania, 17, Bianka, 3, and Capri, 7.
The LA Lakers star gave an interview in November saying that "being a dad is the thing that makes him the most proud in the world." "It's my biggest achievement," Bryant said.
"I have learned so much, but perhaps the most extraordinary thing is the unconditional love you have for your children when you become a parent," he said.
Kobe and Vanessa were married in 2001, when she was just 18 and he was 22.
