Kobe and Vanessa Bryant’s daughter, Gianna “Gigi” Maria-Onore Bryant, would have turned 20 on May 1 this year, so Vanessa took to Instagram to remember her with a touching photo and a caption that broke hearts. In the photo that must have brought bittersweet memories, Vanessa is holding Gianna’s face in both hands and kissing her on the lips. Gianna looks tiny in the shot, and people were glad her mom shared the photo with the world.
Vanessa Bryant celebrates late daughter Gianna’s birthday with touching note and photo
Vanessa Bryant’s daughter, who went by “Gigi,” tragically passed away at 13, along with her father, NBA legend Kobe Bryant, in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on January 26, 2020.
In her memory, the mom of four wrote, “Happy birthday to my sweet baby angel, Gianna.” She added, “Words can’t express how much I love and miss you mamacita,” telling her daughter, “Mommy loves you so much!”
The comments on Vanessa’s Instagram post included sweet messages from A-listers such as LeBron James, Kim Kardashian, Kelly Rowland, La La Anthony, and Kris Jenner. All of them took the time to honor Gigi’s legacy. Besides, Natalia Bryant also posted hearts as a tribute to her younger sister.
Even at 13, Gigi was already a star on the basketball court. She wanted to play in the WNBA, and Kobe supported his daughter’s dream quite publicly every chance he got, even telling Jimmy Kimmel in 2018 that fans told him he needed a son to carry on his legacy. But he told them, “Hey, I got this! You don’t need a boy for that.”
On Gigi’s birthday, the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation also stepped up, announcing the 2026 Class of Gianna Bryant Scholars — 20 student-athletes from Los Angeles who will receive $500,000 as a scholarship in her name. The foundation wrote, “To our Gigi, Happy 20th Birthday. Your vision, your spirit, and your beautiful heart continue to light the way.”
For her part, Vanessa Bryant’s tribute photo and caption for her daughter said enough, and the love came through loud and clear.
Originally reported by Ishika Mishra on Momtastic.
