An energy absorbing structure of a vehicle body upper portion of an automobile, including a roofside rail (20) forming a closed sectional space (28) by an outer panel (24) and an inner panel (26), and an assist grip (22) disposed in the inward of the roofside rail is described. The energy absorbing structure includes a metal energy absorbing bracket (32) disposed in the closed sectional space deformable outwardly of the passenger compartment. The assist grip (22) is mounted on an intermediate portion (36) of an energy absorbing bracket and supported by support means (42) passing through a hole (40) made in the inner panel.