Vanessa Bryant kicked off the month on an emotional note.
The CEO and philanthropist took to Instagram on Thursday, May 1, to honor what would’ve been her late daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant’s 19th birthday. Vanessa posted a heartwarming message with a photo of Gigi rocking her Mamba Sports Academy basketball uniform.
“Happy birthday, Gigi!” she captioned the post. “Mommy loves and misses you more than I could ever express. I love you Gianna. ❤️19 ♉️ 5/1 #Mambacita.”
The tribute came more than five years after Vanessa's daughter, Gigi, and her husband, Kobe Bryant, were killed in a helicopter crash. The tragedy occurred on January 26, 2020, as Kobe, Gigi, and seven others were flying to a youth basketball tournament at the Mamba Sports Academy. The aircraft was piloted by Ara Zobayan, and the passengers were college baseball coach John Altobelli; his wife, Keri and their daughter Alyssa; Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton; and basketball coach Christina Mauser. All passengers and the pilot were killed in the crash.
About a month after the deadly incident, Vanessa delivered an emotional speech at Kobe and Gigi’s memorial service in Los Angeles’ Staples Center. She remembered Gianna as an “amazingly sweet and gentle soul” who loved her friends and family, including Gigi’s sisters, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.
“Gigi was very competitive like her daddy, but she had a sweet grace about her,” Vanessa said. “Her smile was like sunshine. Her smile took up her entire face, like mine. Kobe always said she was me. She had my fire, my personality and sarcasm, and she was tender and loving on the inside. She had the best laugh. It was infectious. It was pure and genuine.”
In honor of Gigi’s 19th birthday, Nike released its “Mambacita” Nike Kobe 9 Low EM, with the late teen’s name written on the left heel and her jersey number on the right heel. Profits from the sneaker sales benefit the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.
