Gisele Bundchen paid tribute to her late mother Vânia Nonnenmacher as she marked her first Mother’s Day since her death at the age of 75.
The model, 43, shared a message remembering Vânia, along with a slew of sweet family photos.
In the post, she admitted that she still struggled to say “mommy” without getting emotional.
“Not a day goes by that I don’t miss my mom,” she continued in the caption. ‘My mother was a wonderful person who always helped everyone around her. She was an incredible role model for my sisters and me.
“She was strong, loving and compassionate. There was nothing she couldn’t do. She always said, “Children are forever. You will always be concerned and want to protect them, no matter how old they are.”
Gisele Bundchen paid tribute to her late mother Vânia Nonnenmacher as she marked her first Mother’s Day since her death earlier this year
‘Being a mother is the best, sometimes challenging, but always a rewarding experience. I am forever grateful for my mother’s guidance. Mom, even though I can no longer feel your embrace, I know that you are always watching over our family and are our guiding light! Te amo mãezinha. Happy Mother’s Day to all moms. Sending so much love your way ❤️.’
Vania died of cancer in January at the age of 75.
Gisele paid tribute to her late mother at the time, writing on Instagram: “Dear mother, it hurts to know that I will no longer be able to hug you, but I know that you will always watch over us.
‘You were an angel on earth, who always helped 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.
“I will forever cherish the wonderful memories we shared and will live by the values you taught me. You will live forever in the many lives you have 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.’
Vânia Nonnenmacher, 75, died in January at Moinhos de Vento hospital in Porto Alegre. Brazilian outlet GZH was the first to report her death.
In the post, she admitted that she still struggled to say “mama” without getting emotional.”
Bundchen’s post included photos of her mother and sisters
Nonnenmacher was a retired banker who previously worked at Banco do Brasil. She was of German descent and had Brazilian nationality.
The 75-year-old had six daughters with university professor Valdir Bündchen: Gisele, Patrícia, Rafaela, Raquel, Graziela and Gabriela.
The family was based in Horizontina, Rio Grande do Sul, where the former Victoria’s Secret Angel was born.
Bundchen previously praised her mother’s strength, dedication and grace, once describing her as the “nucleus” of their large family.
“I grew up with my mother always doing her best to do everything she could for us six girls,” Bundchen said of her and her five sisters on International Women’s Day in 2010.
“My mother dedicated her entire life to her family and did it with such grace,” she wrote in a blog article on her website.
“She’s my hero,” she said of her inspiring mother. “She is the reason why I believe a woman is the core of a family.”
She added that she not only admires her parenting style but also aspires to be just like her as a mother to her own two children.
“I can only hope to be for my children what she will be and always be for us… Our rock.”