Gisele Bündchen posted a loving social media tribute to her "beloved mom" Vânia Nonnenmacher after her death from cancer several days ago at the age of 75. "It hurts to know that I won’t be able to hug you anymore, but I know that you will always be watching over us," she wrote.
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Writing her caption in both Portuguese and English, Gisele's tribute included pictures of herself and her mother over the years, including pictures with her sisters and her daughter. The last photo was a beautiful black-and-white snap of Nonnenmacher in profile.
"You were an angel on earth, always helping everyone around you. I am so grateful to be your daughter and to have learned from you. Thank you for being the best role model of love, strength, compassion, courage, and grace," she wrote.
"I will forever cherish the beautiful memories we shared and will live by the values you taught me. You will live forever through the many lives that you touched. Thank you for giving me five best friends for life. Your love will always guide us. I will see you in my dreams. Love you ❤️," Gisele wrote.
Gisele has five sisters, including her twin, Patricia, as well as Rafaela, Graziela, Gabriela, and Raquel. Her father, Valdir Bündchen, is still alive.
Brazilian news outlet GZH reported Nonnenmacher's death, saying she had been admitted to Hospital Moinhos de Vento in Porto Alegre, Brazil, for cancer treatment.
"It's been very tough on my family. It's been a lot — in every area of my life," Gisele told People last year of caring for ailing parents and her life post-divorce.
"I feel like whenever it rains, it pours. With all the different twists and turns that life takes, all we can do is the best we can given what happens in our surroundings," she said.
