Vanessa Bryant remembers Gianna with heartfelt tribute on her 14th birthday
Gigi would have celebrated her birthday today (May 1).
Today (May 1), would have been Gianna Bryant’s 14th birthday. On Twitter, the late teenager has been remembered by friends, fans and more, five months after she and her father Kobe Bryant tragically passed away in a helicopter crash, along with seven others.
On Instagram, Gianna’s mother Vanessa Bryant wrote a heartfelt tribute to her daughter in honor of her birthday.
“Happy 14th Birthday to my sweet baby girl, Gianna,” Vanessa posted on Instagram. “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!!!!!!!”
Gianna’s birthday arrives two weeks after she, Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester — who also perished in the crash — were named honorary picks for the Women’s National Basketball Association’s 2020 Draft. Following in her father’s footsteps, Gianna was a promising athlete who wanted to play basketball for the Connecticut Huskies before moving on to the WNBA.
Kobe, a frequent game attender and supporter of the league, was also honored during the Draft. Last month, Vanessa paid tribute to her late husband on Instagram for what would have been their 19th wedding anniversary.
“My king, my heart, my best friend. Happy 19th wedding anniversary baby. I miss you so much. I wish you were here to hold me in your arms. I love you,” she posted.
Vanessa has kept her husband and daughter’s memories alive, both through her family’s Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, last month’s “Mamba Day,” Kobe’s newly published children’s book and more.
See Vanessa’s touching post to her daughter and other remembrances of the late 14-year-old on Twitter below. Rest in peace, Gianna.