Vanessa Bryant's grandmother has died

Vanessa Bryant's grandmother has died.

The 44-year-old model took to Instagram on Friday (31.07.26) and penned a heartfelt tribute to Antonia, affectionately known as Mami Tonia.

Vanessa posted a sweet shot of herself kissing her beloved grandmother's cheek, with the caption: "I love you Mami Tonia. We're going to miss you a lot. May God be with you and may the angels look after you and may your angels never leave you. ~ Antonia- Mommy Tonia #Grandma. (sic)"

The philanthropist - mom to daughters Natalia, 23, Bianka, nine, and Capri, seven, as well as Gianna, who died aged 13 alongside her dad, basketball icon Kobe Bryant, 41, in January 2020 - also shared a cute black-and-white photo of her cuddling Antonia on her Instagram Stories.

She wrote "Te Amo Mami Antonia" over the picture, which translates to: "I love you, Mommy Antonia."

Vanessa's celebrity pals expressed their condolences in the post's comments section.

Media personality Kris Jenner, 70, penned: "I’m so sorry Vanessa I’m praying for you and the girls and your family God Bless you (sic)."

Kris' daughter, socialite Khloe Kardashian, 42, typed: "I love you V! I am so so sorry for your loss."

And Halloween actress Kyle Richards, 57, wrote: "So sorry to hear this. Sending you love."

Kobe and Gianna were among nine people who tragically died when the helicopter they all travelled in crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, California, on January 26, 2020.

In 2021, Vanessa said that Natalia, Bianka, and Capri have helped her "smile through the pain" and that they "motivate" her to keep going.

She told PEOPLE magazine: "Helping my girls navigate through this heartache is important to me. Making sure that they know that they are loved, supported, and important is what motivates me."

Vanessa added: "I can't say that I'm strong every day [and] I can't say that there aren't days when I feel like I can't survive to the next. [But] my girls help me smile through the pain. They give me strength."

The businesswoman admitted she cannot always hide her sadness from her children, but said she always makes sure to "find the light in the darkness" wherever possible.

She added: "My eyes and pain can't be filtered in person. They know mommy has hard days, but when I see their faces when they realise that I've been crying, it makes me straighten up and push through for them.

"I counter it with making them smile about something ... Always finding the light in darkness."