Vanessa Bryant posts heartbreaking tribute to daughter Gigi on what would have been 14th birthday

Vanessa Bryant has shared an emotional tribute to her daughter Gigi Bryant on what would have been her 14th birthday just three months after her untimely death.

The 37-year-old mother-of-four took to her Instagram to post a sweet throwback image of the teenager who had died alongside basketball superstar father Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash in Calabasas back in late January.

She shared the image with a heartbreaking caption dedicated to her second daughter which read: ‘Happy 14th Birthday to my sweet baby girl, Gianna. 

‘Mommy loves you more than I can ever show you. You are part of MY SOUL forever.’

She goes on to list out the things she feels a loss for in her daughter’s absence.

Vanessa wrote: ‘I miss you so much everyday. I wish I could wake up and have you here with me. I miss your smile, your hugs and your giggles. 

‘I miss EVERYTHING about YOU, Gigi. I LOVE YOU so much!!!!! [heart, party popper, birthday cake, party popper, and heart emojis]’

Minutes later Vanessa posted another gallery of images featuring her hands and a red plastic bracelet ‘Gigi Bryant [heart] Mambacita’ as she asked fans to wear read in honor of her daughter.

She explained:  ‘Gianna loved to wear a red bow in all of her school pictures. Red means love and life. To commemorate Gigi’s birthday today, please consider wearing red, caption an act of kindness or show how you will play Gigi’s way since she always gave everything she did her all and led with kindness. 

[Red heart emoji] Please use the hashtag #PlayGigisWay [heart emoji] Thank you. 5-1-06 Mambacita.’

In one of the images was a red sweatshirt from the University of Connecticut which was where Gigi was aiming to go to college.

She has been self-quarantining with her children since the start of California’s shelter-in-place order last month.

Even as she heals, she’s continued to share tributes to her late husband and daughter.  

 Vanessa has regularly posted on her Instagram commemorate her husband’s and second daughter’s legacies, highlighting their accomplishments and making special note of charitable efforts being made in their honor.

Just weeks ago on the occasion of what would have been the couple’s 19th wedding anniversary on April 18, Vanessa shared a romantic throwback photo of the pair. 

‘My king, my heart, my best friend. Happy 19th wedding anniversary baby. I miss you so much. I wish you were here to hold me in your arms,’ the widow wrote as a caption next to the image.