The late Kobe Bryant would have been 45 today. Celebrating another missed milestone, the basketball legend's widow, Vanessa Bryant, took to Instagram with a heartfelt message about the man she was married to for nearly two decades. Kobe and the couple's 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, died in a devastating helicopter crash in January 2020, leaving behind Vanessa and their three daughters.
Over the past three years, Vanessa has worked tirelessly to continue her husband's work as a philanthropist and preserve his legacy not only as an iconic NBA player, but also as an incredible human being who wanted to share his success with others.
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Kobe would have celebrated a big birthday today.
On Wednesday, Vanessa posted a tribute message to her late husband on what would have been his 45th birthday. "Happy birthday, baby. I love you always & forever. ❤️ #82378," she captioned a series of photos taken throughout their lengthy relationship.
Many of her celebrity friends commented with heartfelt words.
"Your love is blessed," actor Zoe Saldana wrote on Instagram.
Comedian Loni Love wrote: "We love and miss you Kobe!!! V keep being fabulous!!❤️❤️❤️."
"Love you so much ❤️❤️❤️❤️," actor and TV personality La La Anthony wrote.
Kris Jenner simply left a series of heart emojis, while the LA Lakers commented with a single infinity symbol.
Vanessa has not been shy about how deeply Kobe's death affected her.
Money and fame aside, Vanessa lost the love of her life and was left to raise three daughters alone. Since Kobe passed, she's opened up a number of times about the deep impact the loss has had on her and how special their relationship was.
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She lost more than a husband.
"I couldn’t see him as a celebrity nor just an incredible basketball player. He was my sweet husband and the beautiful father of my children. He was mine. He was my everything," Vanessa said during a public memorial in February 2020. "Kobe loved me more than I could ever express or put into words."
We truly can't imagine the pain she still feels, but we're sure Kobe would be incredibly proud of how Vanessa has not only survived, but thrived both as a mother and businesswoman in the years since he and Gianna died.
