Vanessa Bryant, wife of late NBA great Kobe Bryant, took to Instagram today (May 1) with a heavy heart to celebrate what would have been her late daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant’s 14th birthday.
To honor her late daughter, Vanessa shared a picture of Gianna and wrote an emotional birthday tribute to her daughter in the caption. “Happy 14th Birthday to my sweet baby girl, Gianna. Mommy loves you more than I can ever show you. You are part of MY SOUL forever. I miss you so much everyday. I wish I could wake up and have you here with me. I miss your smile, your hugs and your giggles. I miss EVERYTHING about YOU, Gigi. I LOVE YOU so much!!!!!!! ❤️🎉🎂🎉❤️.”
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In another tribute to Gianna, Vanessa posted pictures of a red bracelet that read “Gigi Bryant ❤️ Mambacita” and in the caption, she asked fans to consider wearing Gianna’s favorite color red to show support and mentioned that proceeds of the red Mambacita bracelet will benefit Kobe’s Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.
“Gianna loved to wear a red bow in all of her school pictures. Red means love and life,” wrote Vanessa. “To commemorate Gigi’s birthday today, please consider wearing red, caption an act of kindness or show how you will play Gigi’s way since she always gave everything she did her all and led with kindness. ❤️Please use the hashtag #PlayGigisWay ❤️Thank you. 5-1-06 Mambacita (We are in the process of making this bracelet available for proceeds to benefit our Mamba and Mambacita foundation. I will update you with a post when we have them available for purchase).”
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Gianna Bryant, along with her legendary father Kobe Bryant, Alyssa Altobelli and her parents John and Keri, Payton Chester and her mother Sarah, Christina Mauser and pilot Ara Zobayan were tragically killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on January 26, 2020. Gianna was 13-years-old and Kobe was 41 when they passed. Kobe is survived by his wife, Vanessa Bryant and their three remaining daughters, Natalia, Bianka, and 10-month-old Capri Bryant.
Gianna loved life and the game of basketball as much as her father did, and not only did she follow in Kobe’s footsteps, she sought to carve out her own legacy, though she tragically never got the chance. In honor of Gianna Bryant’s birthday, here is a series of photos to commemorate her life.
Happy birthday Mambacita. Rest in peace.
