Vanessa Bryant shared a poignant tribute to her late husband, Kobe Bryant, on what would have been his 47th birthday.
The NBA icon and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant were tragically killed in a January 2020 helicopter crash while on the way to Kobe’s Mamba Sports Academy for a basketball game. (Kobe and Vanessa wed in 2001 and shared daughters, Natalia, 22, Bianka, 8, and Capri, 6. The couple met on the set of Eastsidaz’s “G’d Up” music video in November 1999, where Vanessa was working as a backup dancer.)
“We love and miss you and Gigi so much,” Vanessa, 43, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, August 23, alongside a photo of the couple sharing a kiss. “Sending our love to you. Happy birthday, baby. @kobebryant ❤️”
Kobe and Vanessa’s eldest daughter, Natalia, honored her father’s memory as well by writing via Instagram: “Happy Birthday Daddy.”
Many of the family’s friends sent along their best wishes, including Kris Jenner, retired WNBA player Lisa Leslie and Kimora Lee Simmons. Kobe’s former Los Angeles Lakes teammate Pau Gasol marked the late athlete’s birthday with his own emotional post.
“Happy Birthday, hermano. I miss you and love you always,” he wrote alongside a photo of himself and Kobe on the court.
Vanessa has continued to honor the life and legacy of her late husband, as well as her daughter Gigi, more than five years after their deaths. In May, Vanessa’s Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation launched the Gianna Bryant Scholarship Award in tandem with the Variety Boys and Girls Club in Boyle Heights, California in honor of her daughter.
“With the support of the Variety Boys and Girls Club in Boyle Heights @varietybgc, we’ve selected exceptional young people who embody Gigi’s Mamba Mentality through their resilience, commitment to equal opportunities, and ability to inspire others,” the foundation announced.
Their statement continued, “To our recipients, you are representatives of Gianna’s vision — to create a world where young people have every opportunity to follow their dreams regardless of gender or the pressures and expectations we receive from society. Sending all our love to you and your bright futures ahead.”
Vanessa previously reflected on the heartbreaking loss of her daughter on what would have been Gigi’s 18th birthday in May 2024.
“Happy birthday to my gorgeous girl, Gigi! I love you. I miss you. I’m so proud of you,” she wrote via Instagram at the time. “2024 was your year. You would’ve been graduating high school and choosing which college to go to. (I would’ve been trying my hardest to convince you to stay close to home).”
The working mom has kept very busy throughout this summer, having visited Disneyland with her family in June. Earlier this month, the Bryants attended a Los Angeles Dodgers game where Kobe bobble head dolls were given away, plus Vanessa handed out Kobe sneakers at back-to-school events organized by the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.
Meanwhile, rumors swirled earlier this year that Vanessa may be pregnant, though she swiftly shut down the speculation. The philanthropist shared a meme of Rihanna swimming with a snorkel mask while carrying a drink and flipping her middle finger.
“Me protecting my peace, not pregnant & having fun all summer,” she wrote in the caption.
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