Vanessa Bryant Pays Tribute to Husband Kobe on What Would've Been His 46th Birthday

Mar. 15, 2025

Stefanie Keenan/Getty

Vanessa Bryantshared a touching tribute toKobe Bryanton what would have been her husband’s 46th birthday.

On Friday, Aug. 23, Vanessa, 42, wished the late basketball star a happy birthday with a sweetInstagram photoof her kissing him on the cheek.

“Happy birthday@kobebryant. I love you for now, forever & for always. ❤️,” the caption read.

Vanessa and Kobe Bryant.Vanessa Bryant/Instagram

Vanessa Bryant/Instagram

The sweet post in honor of the late NBA champion comes on the same day as theMamba League Invitationalin Los Angeles, where Nike brings together the best high school basketball players in the city for a two-day tournament in honor of Kobe’s legacy.

Also in celebration of Kobe’s 46th birthday, Vanessa released an exclusive Mamba and Mambacita Sports drop called the L.A. Royal collection to honor the basketball star and their late daughter,Gianna Bryant, who lost her life alongside her father in afatal 2020 helicopter crash.

“Throughout Kobe’s entire career, he gave his heart to the city of Los Angeles while wearing purple and gold, and these colors represent his deep love for the game, the Lakers and the city of Los Angeles,” Vanessa wrote in herInstagram postannouncing the collection.

Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Laine Bryant attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California.Steve Granitz/WireImage

Steve Granitz/WireImage

“We hope you enjoy this collection, and always remember to strive for excellence with your Mamba Mentality and to most importantly, Play Gigi’s Way 🦋🦋✨🦋🦋#MambaForever#PlayGigisWay#Mamba#Mambacita.”

Vanessa said that all of the net proceeds from the L.A. Royal collection will go towards the Mambacita Sports organization.

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Kobe and Vanessa weremarried for twenty years, officiallytying the knot in Dana Point, Calif., on April 18, 2001.The couple first met on the set of a music video in 1999.

Prior to Kobe’s retirement from basketball, the couple welcomedNataliain 2003 andGiannain 2006.

Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Bryant attend the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California.Allen Berezovsky/Getty

Allen Berezovsky/Getty

In January 2020, Kobe died in a helicopter crash,alongside his 13-year-old daughter Giannaand six parents and teammates on her basketball team, along with the pilot.

source: people.com