Vanessa Bryant marks late daughter Gianna’s birthday with emotional tribute: ‘I love you mamacita’

Vanessa Bryant has shared a touching tribute to late daughter Gianna on Instagram, to mark what would have been her 15th birthday.

The teenager died beside dad Kobe Bryant in a tragic helicopter crash, at the beginning of last year.

Taking to Instagram, Vanessa remembered Gigi with a sweet throwback on an emotional day for the family.

Alongside the upload, the 38-year-old penned: ‘Dear Gianna, Happy 15th Birthday! I love you! I miss you everyday! I wish you were here with us. 

‘There are no words to express how much I miss you. 

‘I love you Mamacita #15 #Quincenera #Mambacita #Principessa.’

Right on cue, fans flooded the comments section to offer their support, and birthday wishes.

‘Happy birthday beautiful and strong Gigi!!! Your legacy is inspiring so many to be kinder and to give more,’ a follower penned. 

‘I hope you’re celebrating in heaven with your proud father. Sending so much love to you and your family.’

‘Happy birthday bright soul!! You continue to shine bright Gigi,’ another replied.

‘Happy Birthday Beautiful Gigi,’ one said. ‘Your spirit and smile are forever radiant.’

‘Happy birthday Gigi!! Your spirit continues to shine bright and will forever be in our hearts and minds,’ an Instagram user added.

Gigi was travelling with her dad, LA Lakers legend Kobe, 41, and seven others when the helicopter they were travelling in crashed, on January 26, 2020.

Vanessa opened up about life without them in a recent issue of People Magazine, explaining the memory of the pair keeps her motivated to rebuild her life with her three other daughters, Natalia, Bianka and Capri.

‘I can’t say that I’m strong every day,’ she told the publication. ‘I can’t say that there aren’t days when I feel like I can’t survive to the next.’

‘This pain is unimaginable [but] you just have to get up and push forward. Lying in bed crying isn’t going to change the fact that my family will never be the same again.

‘But getting out of bed and pushing forward is going to make the day better for my girls and for me. So that’s what I do.’

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