Today the world remembers Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest NBA players of all time. It’s been three years since Bryant passed away in a helicopter crash that also took his daughter, Gianna Bryant. Today, Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s ex-wife Maria Shriver also mourned with the world, remembering the NBA legend and his family.

The Schwarzenegger family was very close to the Bryants. Big supporters of the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant was a special name in their house, just like so many American households. Shriver also stated that her son, Christopher Schwarzenegger, looked up to the Black Mamba and considered him his idol.

Remembering the “Ultimate Girl Dad”

Maria Shriver took to her Instagram page, and shared a picture of Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna. In the poignant image, Kobe can be seen kissing his daughter on the head. The caption read, “I know Kobe Bryant is and always will be a basketball legend, but when I think of him, this is the image that comes to mind. He was the ultimate girl dad. He made it something to be — to honor, to be proud of. That alone changes lives. It changes men. It changes how girls grow up. I find it so inspiring that men now claim this mantle. They honor the title. They are the title.”.

She addresses the loss with a full heart, letting the whole world know how much the Black Mamba meant to everyone. Like the Schwarzenegger family, many more icons were just as devastated when they learned of the legend’s death.

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Big names in the NBA and the whole world mourn for Kobe Bryant

A public memorial was hosted by Vanessa Bryant to celebrate the lives of Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant. It was attended by the big shots in the NBA, who also mourned and shared their stories of the Black Mamba.

During the memorial, the GOAT of the NBA, Michael Jordan shared, “When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died.” Shaquille O’Neal also shared stories of him playing with Bryant during his prime and said, “Never imagined I would be speaking at his memorial.” Kobe Bryant’s high school love who he later married, Vanessa Bryant, said, “Babe. you take care of our Gigi. and I got Nani, Bebe, and Coco. We’re still the best team.”

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Though the Black Mamba may be gone, his legacy will not be lost anytime soon.