Puerto Rico, August 2025 -It was not supposed to be the trip taken by the entire Boi family of Puerto Rico because everything turned into a nightmare when Eleonora Boi, the pregnant wife of former NBA star Danilo Gallinari, was killed after being bitten by a shark when she had decided to go swimming with her two small nig children at the Carolina Resort beach in Puerto Rico. She and her family have physically come out of the incident, but are emotionally devastated.
A Quick-Shift from Joy to Trauma
Boi, six months pregnant at the time, recalled the moment vividly during her first public interview. Initially, she thought the searing pain in her thigh was a jellyfish sting. But her instincts told another story. “I started crying and screaming… I was screaming for help in Italian,” she said, chillingly human in her description.
As chaos unfolded around her, Gallinari sprang into action, gathering their terrified children and hauling them to safety. On the beach, a woman—whose name remains unknown to them became their “angel,” applying pressure to Boi’s wound until emergency personnel arrived.
Hospitals Stitched Both Body and Soul
At the hospital in Río Piedras, doctors ran extensive tests. These were not routine checkups. Boi’s unborn child was the unacknowledged priority behind every test and X-ray. Once they confirmed the baby was safe, they proceeded with surgery and wound care. Impressively, the hospital staff admitted they had never treated a shark-bite victim before.
Despite successful surgery and a stable prognosis, Boi’s recovery journey has been complicated by lasting psychological scars. “I can’t lie, I’m still scared,” she admitted. “Even now, when I remember, I feel the fear.” Danilo echoed her vulnerability, saying, “The body heals faster than the mind… and there’s no shame in that.”
It Was Supposed to Be a Simple Family Day
The trip began as a simple family outing. Boi had even shared on Instagram earlier, “It was the worst day of my life… I never thought I’d get attacked by a shark while near the shore on a packed beach.” She added a wry note, joking that the “shark will hear from my legals” as soon as possible.
Swimming Doesn’t Always Feel Safe—Even in Waist-Deep Water
Shark attacks are statistically rare, but the nuances can blindside even seasoned swimmers. Puerto Rican authorities are investigating the incident under the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, though details remain sparse beyond confirming the wound’s consistency with a shark bite.
My Take: A Reminder that Fear Doesn’t Wait
What Boi and her family experienced is a gut-wrenching reminder that safety can turn into peril in seconds. Her candid admission that she’s still traumatized tells us what many in high-profile families don’t share: strength isn’t about moving on fast. It’s about wrestling with fear, honoring that fear, and healing at your own pace.
Danilo’s commentary, “the mind heals slower than the body,” is both simple and profound. It’s a recognition of how trauma isn’t always visible, how bravery doesn’t always come with control, and how recovery is messy and deeply human.
