“He always felt rich because he had us” — Giannis Antetokounmpo recalls how Charles Antetokounmpo rose above poverty without a dollar

Giannis Antetokounmpo's dad, Charles, discovered true wealth in his family rather than money. The challenges he faced as an undocumented immigrant in Greece failed to diminish his feeling of being the wealthiest person he knew. Through Giannis Antetokounmpo the spirit of his father lives on showing all the love, sacrifice and humility his dad taught him during his life.
During the early 1990s Charles and Veronica Antetokounmpo migrated from Nigeria to Greece because they sought better opportunities. The five children of Charles and Veronica experienced a difficult immigrant existence because their parents performed manual labor. Their financial struggles forced them to relocate often while they resided in limited accommodation. Despite life's difficulties Charles made it his duty to instill lessons about labor ethics along with the value of family relationships to his children.
In an interview on The Daily Show, Giannis Antetokounmpo, “He had no money, he was poor. He came from Nigeria to have a better life, and we were his legacy. I could feel, like, growing up, he was the richest person in the neighborhood. He always felt rich because he had us.”

When Charles passed away unexpectedly in 2017 at just 54, it hit Giannis hard. At only 23, he thought about quitting basketball to mourn. But he discovered comfort in the gym, where he felt close to his dad's spirit. Giannis mentioned, “I went to the gym. He was there with me… I try to not feel pain, because I feel like whenever my parents felt pain, they never showed it.”
In 2022, Giannis set up the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation (CAFF) to pay tribute to his dad. The foundation's mission is to help underprivileged communities in Greece, Nigeria, and the U.S., with a focus on education, health, and making a social difference.
You can really see how much Charles has impacted Giannis in what he says and does. For instance, Giannis named his first son Liam Charles to keep his dad's legacy alive. "I AM MY FATHER'S LEGACY" on his sneakers, a daily reminder of the values instilled in him.
Also Read: “We getting a chance to see who can really hoop” — Dwyane Wade backs referees for letting physicality play out
Charles Antetokounmpo's impact isn't about money; it's about the lives he influenced and the lessons he shared. His spirit lives on through Giannis and his brothers, showing that real wealth comes from love, sacrifice, and family connections.