On May 1, 2025, Vanessa Bryant once again shared her heart with the world, honoring her late daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant on what would have been her 19th birthday. In a deeply emotional Instagram post, she wrote,
“Happy birthday, Gigi! Mommy loves and misses you more than I could ever express. I love you Gianna. ❤️ 19 ♉️ 5/1 #Mambacita,” alongside a powerful photo of Gigi in her Mamba Academy basketball uniform—focused, determined, and forever passionate about the game she loved.
Five years have passed since the devastating helicopter crash that took the lives of Gigi, her father Kobe Bryant, and seven others. Yet the pain for Vanessa remains ever present, and moments like Gigi’s birthday only magnify the absence.
What should have been a celebration of her daughter’s transition into young adulthood instead became a solemn remembrance of the vibrant life cut short at 13.
Vanessa’s tribute was brief but profoundly moving. It captured the eternal bond between mother and daughter, a connection that continues to pulse through every public memory she shares.
This year, that tribute resonated louder as Gigi’s 19th birthday arrived in the same week that saw a beloved mural of Kobe and Gigi in Los Angeles defaced, an act of senseless vandalism that stirred public outrage and compounded the grief. Yet, even in pain, the community responded with love.
Luka Doncic, the Lakers star who admired Kobe deeply, donated $5,000 to restore the mural, ensuring Gigi and her father’s legacy remains untouched by hate.
Vanessa’s post drew waves of support from around the basketball world. NBA legends like Chris Paul, WNBA icon Lisa Leslie, and celebrities such as La La Anthony and Kris Jenner all poured into the comments to honor Gigi.
Former Lakers like Matt Barnes and even model Winnie Harlow paid their respects. Each message was another brick in the eternal monument being built in Gigi’s name.
Gigi’s legacy, of course, extends far beyond social media. Before her passing, she had declared her goal to one day play for the UConn Huskies. That dream lives on, as the team immortalized her with a jersey tribute in 2020 and continues to honor her annually.
In another beautiful tribute, Nike released the Kobe 9 Protro “Mambacita” on May 1, a limited sneaker edition that symbolized her energy, spirit, and love for the game. It was a reminder that Gigi wasn’t just the daughter of an icon—she was a rising star in her own right.
Vanessa now raises Natalia (22), Bianka (8), and Capri (5), keeping Kobe and Gigi’s spirit alive through love, grace, and an unshakable devotion to their legacy. On Gigi’s 19th birthday, the world paused—not just to mourn, but to remember a light that still burns.
Happy Birthday, Gigi. The Mambacita spirit will never fade.
