Vanessa Bryant marks late daughters 18th birthday with heartwarming post
Vanessa Bryant has shared a tribute to her late daughter Gianna with a heartwarming post on what would have been 18th birthday.
Gianna or 'Gigi' as she was known died in a helicopter crash alongside her father, NBA star Kobe Bryant, in January 2020.
She was just 13 at the time.
"Happy birthday to my gorgeous girl, Gigi! I love you. I miss you," Vanessa, 41, wrote.
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"I'm so proud of you. 2024 was your year," she continued. "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).
"I'm proud of the change in sports you and daddy worked so hard on."
Vanessa ended the post by saying: "You continue to motivate me and inspire young women and girls daily. I love you always, Mummy."
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The heartbroken mum's message was shared alongside footage of Gianna and her dad as they travelled the world to watch and play basketball together.
Also in the footage, Gigi with her sisters Natalia, 21, Bianka, seven, and Capri, four, during their younger years.
Since her tragic loss, Vanessa has focused on raising her remaining three children as well as honouring her lost daughter and husband of 19 years.
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She launched a capsule collection range in honour of Gianna called "Mambacita's 18th Birthday" in honour of her daughter's birthday.
Alongside photos of the range she wrote the message: "In celebration of Gianna's 18th birthday, our 'Mambacita's 18th Birthday' capsule collection is now officially available (link in bio) 🖤✨🦋🤍Always remember to play with joy, curiosity, and competitiveness while never taking any opportunity for granted, just like Gigi 🦋❤️ #PlayGigisWay #MambacitaForever
"All net proceeds will go towards the foundation's mission of bringing positive impact to athletes and boys and girls in sports."
Vanessa, a former model, business woman and philanthropist, also runs the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, an organisation dedicated to supporting child athletes who are in need.
The foundation was launched in 2007 and it provides scholarships to minority college students worldwide.
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