Vanessa Bryant is honouring her late daughter Gianna “Gigi” on her birthday, writing an emotional tribute to Gigi on social media.

Gigi Bryant would have turned 17 years old on May 1st, 2023. Even though she isn’t physically present anymore, her family continues to pay tribute to her.

“Happy 17th birthday, baby girl,” the basketball player‘s widow wrote on Instagram. “I love you and miss you so much, sweet Angel.”

Happy birthday, sweet Gigi! Vanessa wrote in a subsequent post that featured Gigi posing with her sisters Natalia, 20, and Bianka, 6. “We love you to the moon and back infinity +1. Forever & Always,” alongside a red heart emoji,” she added.

As a final addition to the birthday greetings for Gigi, Vanessa shared a photo of Gigi, Natalia, and Bianka grinning for the camera. Vanessa jotted “Te Amo Mambacita” alongside the photo. “Happy birthday, baby girl.”

Vanessa shared a design of an angel wing with a halo and bespoke Nike trainers that came in a package embossed with the word “Mambacita” to start the celebration a few days early. Vanessa captioned it as “Celebrating my Gigi,” “MAMBACITA.”

Gigi, Kobe, and eight other people died in a private helicopter crash in January 2020 while en route to a teen basketball tournament at Kobe’s Mamba Sports Academy near Thousand Oaks, California.

Kobe’s wife Vanessa, who also shares a daughter, Capri, 3, with the NBA legend has continued to honour Gigi and Kobe ever since.

Published by HOLR Magazine.