Vanessa Bryant is continuing to honor her late husband, Kobe Bryant, and their daughter Gianna, four months after the tragic helicopter crash that claimed their lives as well as several others.
On Friday, May 1, Vanessa Bryant took to her social media to share an emotional tribute to Gianna, who would’ve turned 14 that day.
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“Happy 14th Birthday to my sweet baby girl, Gianna. Mommy loves you more than I can ever show you,” Bryant began her message.
“You are part of MY SOUL forever. I miss you so much everyday,” she said. “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!!!!!!!”
Vanessa also posted a photo of a red bracelet in honor of her daughter. “Gianna loved to wear a red bow in all of her school pictures. Red means love and life. 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,” Bryant shared.
“❤️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).”
Her birthday tribute comes shortly after Gianna as well as her Mamba Academy teammates Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester, who also passed away in the crash, were named honorary picks of the WNBA draft. At the time, Vanessa shared a photo of Gianna in her Mamba Academy uniform and wrote, “I’m so proud of you, Gigi. God I miss you baby. You deserved to live a long, healthy and happy life. I wish I could hold you and tell you how proud I am of you. You’re the best, baby girl. Mommy loves and misses you more than I could ever express. ❤️ @WNBA #2 Gianna “Gigi” Bryant Youngest draft pick ❤️🏀My “mambacita” a.k.a. Wings”
Kobe and Gianna are survived by Vanessa as well as Kobe and Vanessa’s three other daughters, Gianna’s sisters, Natalia, 17, Bianka, 3, and 10-month-old Capri.