Veronica Antetokounmpo is none other than the mother of the famous NBA player, Giannis Antetokounmpo. She has lived a life away from media presence, read more to find out about the life and profession of this celebrity parent.
Personal Life
Veronica Antetokounmpo was born on April 7, 1964, in Lagos, Nigeria. She belongs to the Igbo ethnic group, a well-known tribe in Nigeria and lived as a Christian all her life. During her high school days, Veronica was a talented high jumper. However, she had to give up on her athletic career as she had to immigrate to Greece.
Veronica was married to Charles Antetokounmpro, the couple share five children together, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Kostas Antetokounmpo, Alex Antetokounmpo, and Francis Antetokounmpo, Charles and Veronica immigrated to Greece shortly after their first child, Francis’ birth. Francis was left behind in Lagos, under the care of his grandparents. The pair were undocumented immigrants and had to work hard and struggle to put together meals on some days. Sadly, Veronica’s husband, Charles passed away in September 2017, due to a cardiac arrest.
Her son Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo, otherwise known as Giannis, is a talented and renowned basketball player. He was born on December 6th, 1994 in Athens, Greece. Giannis had a tough childhood growing up. As it was hard for his parents to make ends meet Giannis and his older brother Thanasis pitched in to help by selling watches, sunglasses and handbags on the street. Giannis and his family lived in Sepolis and had a hard time as they were not granted Greek citizenship despite being born in Greece. The family, however, received citizenship on May 9, 2013 despite having received citizenship, they felt out of place due to their skin color.
Giannis’ Career
Giannis began playing basketball in 2007. He was drafted into the NBA shortly after he received his Greek citizenship. He was signed by the Milwaukee Bucks and signed his rookie contract with them on July 30, 2013. He debuted at the age of 18 and was known to be one of the youngest players to debut in the NBA. In the year 2014, Giannis was awarded NBA All-Rookie Second. From then on, Giannis rose to fame and began to climb the stairs of success.
He has had a remarkable basketball career and has been awarded several prestigious awards like the NBA Champion, NBA Defensive Player of the Year, NBA All-Star Game MVP and Best Male Athlete ESPY Award. Giannis is also a two-time recipient of the NBA Most Valuable Player and was one among Time 100 in 2021.
Facts
- Veronica’s husband was a soccer player in his youth.
- All of Veronica’s children are professional basketball players except for her first son, Francis who is a soccer player and musician.
- After Veronica’s husband’s death, the family came together and founded an organization that helped improve lives and communities. The organization is named ‘The Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation’.
Conclusion
A mother is always one who makes sure her children have the best regardless of the burden she carries on her, Veronica Antetokounmpo is one such mother. Despite the hardships she has faced she always made sure to put her children through and shaped them into successful individuals that are role models to others in society.