The NBA MVP who had a 20-years career with the Lakers tragically passed away in a helicopter crash and it burst into flames. The NBA star and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, along with seven others were killed in the crash on January 26th. The aircraft came down in Calabasas and no one survived in the helicopter crash which happened in foggy weather.
The NBA star, Kobe Bryant, was only 41 years old when the tragic crash took place and he lost his life. On August 23rd, the late star would have turned 42. Remembering Kobe on his birthday, his loved ones posted one heartfelt tribute on their social media profiles. Take a look:
Natalia Bryant, his eldest daughter’s tribute:
Kobe Bryant’s eldest daughter, Natalia Bryant shared some heartbreaking words and left us all emotional on what would have been the late star’s 42nd Birthday. The 17 -year- old took some time out to commemorate his late dad and wished him a heavenly birthday, and it was the sweetest thing.
Natalia went on to call his daddy the best ‘movie buddy’ she could ask for and cherished some sweet moments that are very close to her heart. She posted an adorable photograph of her childhood while sitting on his dad’s lap, she wrote,
“Happy Birthday Dad. I miss your smile, laugh, and big bear hugs. Happy Birthday to the best movie buddy I could have ever asked for. I will always remember our late night drives to the movie theater with the windows rolled down and listening to our favorite songs. I love you forever and always. Always, Slim.”
When Natalia expressed her infinite love for his late father, thousands of well-wishers and the fans took to the comment section to express their love for Kobe Bryant and his family as well.
They both seemed to share a very special bond with one another. The infinite love between the father-daughter duo was visible and Natalia is not the only one who is known for posting tributes as Kobe also used to share some loving words for her sweet daughter.
On Natalia’s birthdays, Kobe shared these posts:
The death of the NBA star still seems to be a terrible nightmare and we can’t believe that he is not among us right now. But the demise of the legendary basketball player is the hard truth that we all have to live with every moment.
When his eldest daughter Natalia turned 16, The late NBA star took to his Instagram to share some loving words for his ‘Principessa’. Take a look at what he posted:
“Happy 16th Birthday my baby!” He wrote.
“I’m beyond proud of the young woman you have become, you are kind, intelligent, hardworking, caring, loving, and beautiful inside and out. There aren’t enough words to express how much I love you Principessa. Happy #sweet16.”
On her 17th birthday, the late basketball player wished Natalia by sharing a stunning photograph of his daughter and wrote,
“Happy Birthday my baby. I love you beyond measure. You will always be my little Principessa #17”
Vanessa Bryant, his wife’s emotional tribute:
The mother of four, Vanessa Bryant also took to her Instagram and shared an emotional tribute for her late husband. On what would have been his 42nd birthday, his wife did not leave a chance to shower some love. She also wrote about how she is missing her 13-year-old daughter, Gigi (Gianna).
In a private post, Vanessa Bryant shared,
“Happy Birthday. I love you and miss you more than I can ever explain. I wish you and Gigi were here to celebrate YOU! I wish I could you your fav food or a birthday cake with Gigi. I miss your big hugs, your kisses, your smile, your loud ass deep laugh.” She wrote in the heartfelt note.
“I miss teasing you, making you laugh and bursting your bubble. I miss you sitting on my lap like my big baby that you are. I think about your tenderness and patience all the time. I think about everything you would do in situations to help me deal with everything thrown my way. Thank you for showing me what real love is. Thank YOU for everything.” Vanessa further wrote.
His sister, Sharia Washington also shared some words on his birthday:
Sharia Washington, late Kobe Bryant’s sister shared a photograph of her younger brother as a kid and praised him for being the ‘the one who listened without judgment and loved me unconditionally.’
She wrote on her Instagram profile, “I’ve typed and deleted this so many times. There are simply no words to describe how I’m feeling today. So many people around the world miss ‘The Black Mamba’, I miss my little brother. The one who listened without judgment and loved me unconditionally. There are no words to express how much I miss you. Happy Birthday, Bean. I love you!”
Mamba Week:
Legends from across the sports world will also honor the late spirit of Bryant as Nike announced that 23-29th would be called Mamba Week. Nike Basketball also interviewed athletes like Naomi Osaka and Anthony Davis about how Kobe Bryant inspired them.
