Most beach days are about sunshine and calm waves. For Eleonora Boi, it turned into something straight out of a nightmare. The wife of former NBA star Danilo Gallinari faced a terrifying shark attack. This happened while she was pregnant, swimming off a beach in Puerto Rico.
Eleonora, a 39-year-old Italian journalist, was near the shore. She was at a resort in the Carolina region. Suddenly, a shark bit her right thigh. It was a serious injury that quickly sent shockwaves through her.
The incident spread quickly online. Eleonora herself shared the details on Instagram. She even joked about it, writing, “Sardinian mermaid 1, baby shark from Puerto Rico 0.” Her humor was surprising given how serious the event was.
But beneath the humor, there was real fear. “It was the worst day of my life,” she admitted. “I never thought a shark could attack me. Especially not on a crowded beach, so close to the sand.” She was rushed to Puerto Rico University Hospital for help.
Thankfully, Eleonora and her baby are both doing well. They received immediate medical care. She needed surgery to fix her injured leg. Her recovery is going well, she reported. “Luckily, my baby and I are fine,” she said. “The surgery to put my leg back together went well.” She even found a way to “forgive” her “big ‘friend’ who betrayed me,” speaking of the shark.
She ended her social media post with a heartfelt thank you. She thanked her followers for their kindness and prayers. Her husband, Danilo, also got a special mention. “Thanks to my husband,” she wrote. “Even though he married someone like me, he gave me all his love and courage.” She even joked about him missing a Bad Bunny concert for her. “He shouldn’t get used to it, it’s only for a short time!” she added.
Danilo Gallinari is a 36-year-old Italian forward. He now plays for the Vaqueros de Bayamón in Puerto Rico. This marks a new chapter in his career. He played 16 seasons in the NBA. During his time there, he played for teams like the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and New York Knicks.