logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Inside Vanessa Bryant's Heartwarming Tribute to Late Husband Kobe on His Heavenly Birthday

Junie Sihlangu
Aug 24, 2020
10:14 A.M.

On Sunday, August 23, 2020, Vanessa Bryant took to social media to wish her late husband a happy birthday on the day he would have turned 42.

Advertisement

On her private Instagram, Vanessa Bryant celebrated Kobe Bryant’s 42nd birthday with an emotional tribute. The post included a throwback photo of the two posing together on a chair.

In the lengthy tribute, Vanessa spoke directly to her late husband revealing how much she missed him. She also shared her wish that he and their late daughter, Gianna, 13, could’ve been there to celebrate the milestone.

Vanessa and Kobe Bryant and their children at the premiere of "A Wrinkle In Time" on February 26, 2018, in Los Angeles, California | Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Vanessa and Kobe Bryant and their children at the premiere of "A Wrinkle In Time" on February 26, 2018, in Los Angeles, California | Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images

KOBE'S DEATH

Kobe, Gianna, and seven other people all died on January 26, 2020, in a helicopter crash. The incident, that left the world shocked, happened in Calabasas, California.

Vanessa also noted in her post: “I wish you and Gigi were here to celebrate YOU!” She also wished her late husband was there so she could make his favorite meal or bake a cake for him with Gianna.

Advertisement

MISSING KOBE

Advertisement

The widow then shared all the things she missed about Kobe and also revealed all the things she recalled about him. She thanked him for having grown with her and teaching her how to have strength.

The late former NBA player’s wife also mourned Kobe and Gianna’s deaths saying: “Our lives feel so empty without you and Gigi.” Revealing how she was handling their deaths, she admitted how broken she was on the inside.

Advertisement

STAYING STRONG FOR THE KIDS

She confessed to wanting to shed tears but explained how she kept it together for their other daughters. The Bryant’s are also parents to Natalia, 17, Bianka, 3, and Capri, 14-months-old.

She described how resilient and strong their daughters were and noted how she was sure that Kobe was proud of them. Showing how she was leaning on them through this difficult time, she revealed how they put a smile on her face daily.

Advertisement

LOSING KOBE AND GIANNA

Vanessa described losing her husband and daughter as a horrible nightmare she wished to wake up from. She shared her fantasy of being able to surprise their children by welcoming Kobe and Gianna back.

The widow confessed to being angry that she hadn’t been the one who died first to avoid the heartache of losing him. She lamented how she should’ve passed on first.

Advertisement

MOURNING THEIR DEATHS

Vanessa mourned not being able to show her late family all the things she’d achieved since their deaths. She thanked her late husband for the daughters she had left behind with her.

Kobe’s wife thanked him for his everlasting love and shared how she’d always choose him in each lifetime. She also showed her gratitude for being taught real love by the late basketball player.

Advertisement

THANKFUL TO BRYANT

Vanessa thanked him for everything and noted how Gianna was celebrating her father the way she always did on special days. She also stated how much she missed little Gianna too.

The star’s wife concluded her post by wishing him a happy birthday from herself and their daughters. She also promised to always love him.

Advertisement

URGING FOR A NEW BILL

In response to how her husband tragically died at the beginning of the year, in June 2020, Vanessa urged congress to pass a special bill. She wanted them to pass the "Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act" which would require helicopters carrying six or more people to have a Terrain Awareness and Warning System.

The system is a flight data and a cockpit voice recorder. Vanessa shared how she believed her family members would still be alive if the system was already in place.

Vanessa Bryant's tribute to late husband Kobe Bryant on August 23, 2020, the day of his birthday | Photo: Instagram/vanessabryant

Vanessa Bryant's tribute to late husband Kobe Bryant on August 23, 2020, the day of his birthday | Photo: Instagram/vanessabryant

A LETTER FROM KOBE

For her own birthday in May 2020, Vanessa discovered a very special gift from her late husband. She found a letter from Kobe which she intended on opening on her birthday.

Advertisement

In July 2020, she took to her Instagram stories, to reveal another gift her late husband had once presented her with. She recalled how romantic the former athlete was.

Vanessa Bryant's tribute to late husband Kobe Bryant on August 23, 2020, the day of his birthday | Photo: Instagram/vanessabryant

Vanessa Bryant's tribute to late husband Kobe Bryant on August 23, 2020, the day of his birthday | Photo: Instagram/vanessabryant

A SPECIAL GIFT

In her post, she shared how he’d once gifted her a Sarah Jessica Parker dress that the actress wore in the 2004 series finale of “Sex and the City.” Finding the dress after his death left Vanessa quite emotional.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Fixing Old Widow’s Roof, Men Find Stash Her Husband Left and Decide to Stay Silent about It – Story of the Day

February 18, 2024

10 Celebrities Who Vacationed at Sea in 2023

January 31, 2024

Elderly Couple Divorces after 53 Years of Marriage, Later Man Sees Ex-wife Dating in Cafe — Story of the Day

February 04, 2024

Roberta Raffel Married Her 'Best Friend' Marcus Lemonis in 2018

November 24, 2023

‘Black Panther’ Stuntman Taraja Ramsess Tragically Dies with 3 of His Children in Atlanta

November 06, 2023

Enraged Husband Hunts for His Wife in Hospital – Story of the Day

December 22, 2023

Judge Hatchett & Her Son Raise 2 Kids Following Tragic Death of Boys' Mom at 39: 'It's Just Not Fair'

December 31, 2023

Patrick Swayze’s Widow Keeps His Memory Alive as She Shares Rare Photo of the Actor with His Mom

February 08, 2024

Tanya Boniface Is Peabo Bryson’s Wife Who Is Also a Musician

December 18, 2023

John Candy’s Lookalike Daughter Celebrates 44th Birthday & ‘Father Shines Through’ in Her Smile in a Pic

February 08, 2024

John Candy’s Lookalike Daughter Celebrates 44th Birthday & ‘Father Shines Through’ in Her Smile in a Pic

February 05, 2024

Julia Roberts Looks Lovingly into Husband’s Eyes in a Rare Photo Alongside a Romantic Tribute

February 01, 2024

Loreili Hutch: She Is Actor Jesse Hutch's Wife & Mother of His 3 Kids

November 16, 2023

Unfaithful Husband Doesn’t Expect an Ordinary Box of Pizza Would Expose Him – Story of the Day

March 12, 2024