Giannis Antetokounmpo’s parents are Charles Antetokounmpo and Veronica Antetokounmpo, both former athletes born in Nigeria and migrated to Greece for better opportunities in 1991. They gave birth to the NBA superstar, widely known as the Greek Freak, on December 6, 1994, and his extraordinary journey to basketball stardom has captivated fans worldwide.
At the heart of Giannis’ remarkable story are his parents, Veronica and Charles Antetokounmpo, who played a pivotal role in shaping his life and career. Their unwavering support and sacrifices have been instrumental in his success, making them an integral part of his inspiring story.
Understanding the background and influence of the Milwaukee Bucks power forward’s parents sheds light on the values and principles that have propelled him to greatness on and off the basketball court. In this article, we will help you do just that.
Who Was Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Dad?
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s dad was Charles Antetokounmpo. He was born in Nigeria in 1963, but not much is known about his early life, including the exact date and month of his birth and who his birth family members were.
Details of his formal educational background have also not made it into the public and media domain. We can confirm, though, that he was a retired soccer player who had to end his playing days due to a knee injury before he and his family immigrated to Greece in 1991.
The family faced financial struggles, and Charles worked various odd jobs to support them. Together with his wife, they raised their four younger sons, including Giannis, in Greece, and the children helped make ends meet by selling goods on the street.
Despite the hardships, the family remained close and supportive of each other. Charles’s sons, Giannis and Thanasis, pursued basketball, eventually succeeding in professional sports. Charles became the father of several sporting legends, with Giannis rising to prominence as an NBA player.
When Did Charles Antetokounmpo Die?
Charles Antetokounmpo died in 2017 at the age of 54. His untimely death occurred during a visit to Milwaukee, as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Rick Barrett.
This devastating loss undoubtedly profoundly impacted his family, particularly his son Giannis. As the patriarch of the Antetokounmpo family, Charles played a significant role in shaping the lives and careers of his children, and his absence will be deeply missed.
The outpouring of support and condolences from the basketball community and fans at the time reflected the widespread impact of Charles Antetokounmpo’s passing, highlighting his profound influence on those around him.
His memory continues to live on within his family and the hearts of those who admired and respected him.
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What Was Charles Antetokounmpo’s Cause Of Death?
Charles Antetokounmpo died of a sudden heart attack, which took place during a visit to Milwaukee. The news was incredibly saddening and hard to take, given the unexpected nature of his passing at the time.
It’s important to note that Charles Antetokounmpo did not have a history of heart-related ailments prior to this unfortunate event. Thus, the sudden tragedy deeply affected not only his family but also the basketball community and fans around the world.
How Did Charles Antetokounmpo Die?
According to several reports, Charles Antetokounmpo died of a heart attack at home in Milwaukee. He had been living there for a few years before his death. Reports of his death indicate that he suddenly slumped due to a heart attack.
The family confirmed his demise shortly after he arrived at the hospital. Charles Antetokounmpo’s funeral took place in Milwaukee, and he left behind a legacy and a close-knit family that includes his renowned NBA star son, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Who Is Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Mom?
Veronica Antetokounmpo is the mother of NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Not much is known about what she does for a living as of 2024, but she is likely retired. She has always been a resilient and supportive figure in her family’s life.
Born and raised in Nigeria, Veronica moved to Greece in 1991 with her husband, Charles, and they had their four younger sons there. As an immigrant in Greece, she faced the challenges of being undocumented and struggled to make ends meet.
Despite these hardships, Veronica remained strong and a solid support system in her children’s lives. She played a crucial role in supporting her family by working several odd jobs, including working as a caregiver, to make ends meet when they first moved to Greece.
Veronica has been a pillar of strength for her children, including Giannis, who has achieved immense success as an NBA player. She continues to support her children’s careers and remains a significant part of their lives.
Few would argue against the fact that Veronica’s resilience and unwavering support have been instrumental in shaping the success of her family.
Veronica Antetokounmpo’s Age
Veronica Antetokounmpo is 60 years old as of 2024. She was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on April 7, 1964. Not much information is available regarding her birth family members including her parents and any siblings she might have.
Also, there is scarcely any information about her formal educational background. However, it is important to mention that Giannis did not get his athletic genes solely from his father, who was a soccer player. He also has his mom to thank for that aspect of his genetics.
According to several verified sources, Veronica Antetokounmpo was a high jumper when she was living in Nigeria. But that part of her live was likely buried when she and her husband migrated to Europe, and she had to switch to working as a caregiver to support her family.
Where Are Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Parents From?
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s parents are originally from Nigeria, one of the biggest and most populous West African countries. Even though they’ve lived most of their lives in Europe and the United States since they migrated there in the early 1990s, there is no disputing the fact that they have strong indigenous Nigerian roots.
Charles, Giannis’ father, was a Yoruba man, while his mom was a member of the Igbo ethnic group. The aforementioned tribes are two of the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria and do not always see eye to eye on critical national issues.
It would seem, however, that the Greek Freak’s parents saw something in each other that transcended the barriers of ethnic diversity to form a family together.
Charles And Veronica Antetokounmpo We’re Married For About Three Decades
Given that they had their first child in 1988, it would not be a stretch to infer that Giannis’ parents got married sometime during the mid to late 1980s. It would also mean that their union lasted for around three decades.
The couple had four of their five children, all sons, in Greece. The only one who was born in Nigeria is their eldest son, Francis, who was born on October 20, 1988. They left him behind when they migrated to Europe because they reasoned he was too young to deal with the challenges of being undocumented.
On July 18, 1992, around a year after they arrived in Greece, Veronica welcomed her second son, Thanasis. Giannis followed just over two years later, on December 6, 1994. Kostas, the former couple’s fourth son, arrived on November 20, 1997, just under four years before they had their youngest child, Alex, on August 27, 2001.
Charles and Veronica Antetokounmpo’s marriage was only cut short by the heart attack that claimed the former’s life in 2017.Â
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Parents Height
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s parents, Charles and Veronica, are 6 and 5 feet 5 inches tall, respectively. His father’s relatively impressive height of 6 feet nonetheless pales compared to the Greek Freak’s mammoth 6 feet 11 inches.
Without even referring to the several pictures of Giannis and his mother all over the internet and social media, there is no disputing the fact that the NBA star’s height completely dwarfs that of his mother, who is actually on the small side.
FAQs
Who Are Veronica Antetokounmpo’s Other Children?
Veronica Antetokounmpo’s other children are Francis, Thanasis, Kostas, and Alex. Apart from Francis, who was born in Nigeria, the rest were born in Greece.
What Is Veronica Antetokounmpo’s Height?
Veronica Antetokounmpo is 5 ft 5 inches tall. She is more than 1 ft shorter than her giant son Giannis.
What Is Veronica Antetokounmpo Net Worth?
Veronica Antetokounmpo has an estimated net worth of $3 million as of 2024.
What Did Charles Antetokounmpo Die Of?Â
Charles Antetokounmpo died of a heart attack in 2017 at the age of 54.
Where Is Giannis Antetokounmpo From?
Giannis Antetokounmpo is originally from Nigeria. He was, however, born in Greece, meaning that he has dual citizenship. He also has a mixed ethnic background of Yoruba and Igbo from his dad and mom, respectively.
