Kobe Bryant's widow paid tribute to the "million souls" lost to the coronavirus pandemic as she introduced TIME's Person of the Year In Memoriam feature.
Vanessa and Kobe Bryant
Vanessa Bryant - whose basketball star husband died in a helicopter crash alongside their daughter Gianna, 13, and seven others in January - spoke of the "profound loss" many have experienced in 2020, due to the global health crisis and other reasons.
Speaking in a pre-recorded message on Thursday (10.12.20), she said: "Words cannot do justice to the grief we felt this year. At every level of human connection from across the world to across the table, we experienced profound loss.
"We said goodbye to husbands, daughters, wives, sons, grandparents, friends and national heroes.
"And we continue to count the lives surrendered to this cruel pandemic, which has claimed well over a million souls, worldwide."
After Vanessa's address, cellist Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Scott performed a moving rendition of 'Over the Rainbow' for the In Memoriam section, which led with tributes to Kobe and Gianna.
In August, Vanessa shared a poignant tribute to her late husband on what would have been his 42nd birthday.
She wrote on Instagram: "To my baby~ Happy birthday. I love you and miss you more than I can ever explain. I wish you and Gigi were here to celebrate YOU! I wish I could make you your fav food or a birthday cake with my Gig
"I miss your big hugs, your kisses, your smile, your loud ass deep laugh. I miss teasing you, making you laugh and bursting your bubble.
"I miss you sitting on my lap like my big baby that you are. I think about your tenderness and patience all the time. I think about everything you would do in situations to help me deal with everything thrown my way.
"Thank you for growing up with me and teaching me how to be strong. How to try to see the best in people but cutout the bs. Your thoughtful gestures and the amazing way you made us all feel is extremely missed. I picture your smile and wide big welcoming hugs daily.
"There's so much I wish I could tell you and show you and Gigi. So many things you would both be happy to see and be a part of.(sic)"
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