Vanessa Bryant remembers Kobe Bryant on his 47th birthday: “We love and miss you so much”

More than five years after the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gigi, their memory continues to live on in the heart of Vanessa Bryant.

Today, Saturday, August 23, Vanessa shared a deeply emotional tribute on Instagram to mark what would have been Kobe’s 47th birthday.

In the post, she shared a throwback photo of herself kissing Kobe on the cheek, with Milan’s iconic Duomo cathedral in the background. Her caption read: “We love and miss you and Gigi so much. Sending our love to you. Happy birthday, baby,” she captioned her post, adding a red heart emoji.

The heartfelt message resonated with fans around the world, many of whom flooded the comments with love and support. Vanessa’s tribute was a reminder of the enduring bond she shares with Kobe and Gigi, and the strength she continues to show as she honors their legacy.

Vanessa’s touching tribute to Kobe comes a month after she shared a glimpse of how her youngest daughter, Capri, has been following in her father’s athletic footsteps. Since the Lakers star’s death, Vanessa has shared multiple messages and photo memories, as well as honoring his memory through philanthropy.

In a heartwarming Instagram post, Capri—nicknamed “Koko Bean”—was seen mimicking Kobe’s iconic free-throw pose, even sporting a purple cast on her arm.

Kobe and Vanessa Bryant: A love story that transcended Sport

Vanessa and Kobe Bryant were one of the most established couples in the sports industry. The couple formed a large family with their three daughters: Natalia Diamante, Bianka Bella, Capri Kobe, and Gianna.

The couple were married for 19 years before the basketball star’s sudden and tragic death. The couple met when Vanessa was a senior in high school and appeared in a music video, which caught the attention of Kobe, who was 20.

At Vanessa’s 18th birthday party, just six months after they met, Kobe proposed to her. Less than two years after meeting, the young couple married in April 2001 in California. In December 2011, after 10 years together, Vanessa filed for divorce. However, in January 2013, the couple made their reconciliation official.

The two welcomed their first daughter, Natalia Diamante, in 2003. Three years after their first daughter was born, Gianna Bryant was born. In 2016, Kobe and Vanessa welcomed their third daughter, Bianka, shortly before the basketball star announced his retirement. Three years later, the couple welcomed their fourth daughter, Capri Kobe.

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