May 1, 2026Updated May 2, 2026, 7:55 a.m. ET
Vanessa Bryant posted a photograph of her daughter, Gianna, on Instagram Friday on what would have been Gianna’s 20th birthday.
“Happy birthday to my sweet baby angel, Gianna,” Vanessa said in the post. “Words can’t express how much I love and miss you mamacita. Mommy loves you so much!”
Gianna Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash six years ago along with eight other passengers, including her father, Kobe Bryant.
The crash happened en route to Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy in Newbury Park, California, where he was scheduled to coach his daughter’s team.
Vanessa Bryant’s post had comments with heart emojis from basketball players such as Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu.
Other notable names such as Olivia Munn, Ciara and Kelly Rowland also left comments of support.
Kobe and Gianna have been honored with a statue that sits in front of Crypto.com Arena, which was unveiled in August 2024.
Vanessa Bryant founded the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation in memory of Kobe and Gianna. In honor of Gianna’s birthday, the non-profit announced its scholarship recipients, which were made up of 20 student-athletes from Los Angeles and Orange County.
