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Kobe and Vanessa Bryant ’s daughter Gianna would have been turning 14 on May 1 – a day that would have been spent celebrating with family and friends. Since her life tragically ended along with her father’s in a helicopter crash on January 26, those close to her including sisters Natalia, Bianka and Capri and the world are still mourning her passing. Throughout her short time on earth, Gigi captivated the hearts of so many whether it be her own loved ones, close friends or her dad’s Lakers teammates and acquaintances. She found her own love of basketball and worked hard to excel in the sport as she had dreams of being in the WNBA. The second oldest daughter of the #GirlDad idolized her father but also made sure her mom felt the love too.
Keep scrolling to see little Mambacita’s life on and off the court as we all send a big happy birthday her way.
Gianna and Natalia were often courtside watching their dad play ball. Hours after winning a playoff game against the Phoenix Suns on April 30, 2006, Kobe confirmed his wife went into labor with Gianna.
Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka shared about the teen: “Gigi was love and grace, and like her dad her life was about blessing others… Gigi was Kobe’s pride and joy on the basketball court. You could see it with every move she made.”
With her dad as one of the all time greats in basketball, Gigi and her sister hit their fair share of events. In 2008, they attended the High School Musical premiere.
In 2011, Kobe had his girls on hand for his hand and footprint ceremony at Grauman‘s Chinese Theater.
During the memorial for Kobe and Gianna, Vanessa Bryant revealed that her daughter was enamored with her father. “She was daddy’s girl, but I know she loved her mama. She would always tell me and show me how much she loved me. She was one of my very best friends.”
In 2018, Kobe Bryant shared a photo of his pride and joy with the caption: “Happy Birthday to our lil mambacita Gianna. We are so proud of you! From the classroom to the court. We love you more than you could ever imagine #12 #mambacita #hardworkdreamwork #taurus”
In his last sitdown interview before his death, Kobe told Liz Habib of his daughter’s innate skill on the court: “She looks up, looks at it, she closes her eyes, and takes a couple deep breaths. She completely calms down, and she goes does to the free-throw line and drains them. Wins the game! Alright man!”
Gigi had her sights on playing for UConn and then becoming a star in the WNBA. Vanessa revealed during the memorial: “Gigi was motivated to change the way everyone viewed women in sports. She wrote papers in school defending women and wrote about how the unequal pay difference for the NBA and WNBA leagues wasn‘t fair. And I truly feel she made positive change for the WNBA players now, because they knew Gigi’s goal was to eventually play in the WNBA.”
Kobe was proud to be a #girldad. When he and Vanessa found out they were expecting a fourth daughter, Kobe shared: “I swear I wouldn’t want it any other way. These 3 and their mom are so much more than I deserve.”
Gigi loved spending time with Natalia, Bianka and Capri and was a great big sister.
“Her smile was like sunshine,” Vanessa shared. “Her smile took up her entire face, like mine. Kobe always said she was me.”
Vanessa, Natalia, Gigi and Bianka celebrated Kobe’s 40th in Cabo. In 2019, Vanessa revealed that she made her dad the cake of all cakes. “She loved to bake. She loved putting a smile on everyone’s face. Last August she made a beautiful birthday cake for her daddy, and it had fondant and looked like it had blue agate crystals. Kobe’s birthday cake looked like it was professionally decorated. She made the best chocolate chip cookies.”
Kobe brought his family to see Taylor Swift in concert at the Staples Center. “Kobe meant so much to me and to us all,” Taylor wrote on Twitter after news broke of the helicopter crash. “Sending my prayers, love, and endless condolences to Vanessa and the family and anyone who lost someone on that flight.”
While backstage, Gigi and Natalia met Julia Roberts.
Gigi loved watching Cupcake Wars with her mom, Survivor and NBA on TNT with her dad. She also loved watching Disney movies with her sisters as well as taking part in TikTok dances.
Gianna attended the All-Star Game in Toronto with her dad in 2016. Vanessa shared, “Kobe and Gianna naturally gravitated towards each other. She had Kobe‘s ability to listen to a song and have all the lyrics memorized after listening to the song a couple of times; it was their secret talent.”
Vanesa will always remember her sweet kisses. My baby girl. “Gianna Bryant is an amazingly sweet and gentle soul,” Vanessa started her tribute at the memorial. “She was very thoughtful and always kissed me good night and kissed me good morning.”
Kobe had said his daughter was “like a tornado” and had many of his personality traits.
Gigi loved being with her family. “She was always so good. A rule follower. I knew I could always count on her to do the right thing. She was the most loving daughter, thoughtful little sister and silly big sister,” Vanessa said. “She often helped to carry the littles‘ baby bag and playing with them, and she loved helping with Bianka and Capri.”
Halloween was always celebrated big in the Bryant household as displayed on Kobe and Vanessa’s social acccounts.
“She had rhythm and swag since she was a baby,” Vanessa said during the memorial.
Gianna would have attended the same high school as Natalia and was a stellar student. Gigi was the president of school spirt and on student council and participated in the school plays.
“She was always, always, always considerate of others and their feelings,” her mom said. “She was a beautiful, kind, happy, silly, thoughtful and loving sister and daughter.”
Together with her dad, we wish Gigi a beautiful 14th.