Eugenio Derbez and his wife, Alessandra Rosaldo, have expanded their household by adopting a dog named Kobe, marking an emotional milestone after the death of their beloved Fiona. Después de más de tres años de haber perdido a nuestra amada Fiona y de haberlo pensado mucho, nos animamos a adoptar,
wrote the artist. The couple presented Kobe, a four-year-old dog that joined the family of the Mexican actor.
The Bottom Line
- Eugenio Derbez and Alessandra Rosaldo introduced a four-year-old adopted dog named Kobe to their family.
- The adoption comes after the August 2023 death of their 11-year-old dog, Fiona.
- Rosaldo shared that Kobe was chosen to honor the late basketball star Kobe Bryant, continuing a family naming tradition based on basketball legends.
A New Canine Companion After Years of Grief
The decision to bring Kobe home followed an extended period of reflection for the couple. Fiona died in August 2023 after eleven years as a constant presence in Derbez’s personal and professional life. Specifically, the bulldog English arrived in his life in 2012, and the dog died on August 21, 2023. The family organized a farewell surrounded by flowers for her, and the actor shared that the female dog left accompanied by her loved ones and with a tennis ball in her mouth with which she liked to play.
Eugenio Derbez y Alessandra Rosaldo agrandan la familia y sorprenden con un nuevo integrante 🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/JbK71BTVqm
Fiona had been a fixture during the actor’s film shoots, travel schedules, and daily routines, leaving a profound void in the household, particularly for their daughter, Aitana. Alessandra also expressed her sadness over the death of Fiona, stating, Con profunda tristeza y dolor, hoy despedimos a nuestra muy amada Fiona. Fuimos muy bendecidos de tenerla con nosotros durante 11 años.
In his farewell message, Derbez noted that no one was closer to him in those eleven years, and described her as the best sister Aitana could have had, while the actor admitted in his message that trying to make other people laugh would be a challenge while going through such sadness, also thanking his wife and daughter for giving Fiona a family and expressing his desire to find resignation especially for Aitana, who did not stop crying. The actor also mentioned that he had to spend sleepless nights or get up at dawn to fulfill his commitments with her by his side, and he even was found by a woman on a flight who did not recognize him during that period.
Signs of Past Hardship and the Road to Recovery
When the family first encountered Kobe, initial observations suggested the animal had endured a difficult past. Rosaldo detailed in her social media announcements that the four-year-old dog exhibited clear signs of trauma, abandonment, and mistreatment, despite previous claims from his former owners that they simply could no longer care for him. The artist recounted that the dog was abandoned by his previous family, who would have explained that they could no longer take care of him, though the couple’s first observations led them to consider another possibility: that the animal had not received the necessary care.
Determined to offer a secure and nurturing environment, the family set out to provide the patience and specialized attention required for a rescue dog recovering from neglect.
Continuing a Basketball-Inspired Naming Tradition
The choice of the name Kobe carries specific significance within the Derbez household. The moniker pays direct tribute to late basketball legend Kobe Bryant, who died on January 26, 2020, at the age of 41 in a tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.
This selection maintains an established family custom set by Derbez during the years he owned golden retrievers. Prior to Fiona, the actor’s previous canine companions were named Shaq and Jordan, drawing inspiration from sports icons Shaquille O’Neal and Michael Jordan. Kobe, nombrado en honor a Kobe Bryant, hoy forma parte de nuestra familia y nuestros corazones se desbordan de emoción y amor,
shared Alessandra, who finished her message with a promise to her new pet: Bienvenido a nuestra familia Kobe, aquí nunca te faltarán cuidados, caricias y sobretodo, infinito amor.
| Pet Name | Breed / Type | Inspiration Source |
|---|---|---|
| Shaq | Golden Retriever | Shaquille O’Neal |
| Jordan | Golden Retriever | Michael Jordan |
| Fiona | English Bulldog | Personal family pet (11 years) |
| Kobe | Rescue Dog | Kobe Bryant |
With Kobe now settled into his new surroundings, the household embarks on a fresh chapter centered on rehabilitation, family life, and honoring past companions.
