'You never heal': Internet in tears over Vanessa Bryant's tribute to daughter Gigi on her 18th birthday
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Vanessa Bryant, widow of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, took to social media to share a poignant message on what would have been her daughter Gigi's 18th birthday.
Gigi, along with Kobe, tragically lost her life in a helicopter crash in Calabasas in January 2020, along with seven others, reported The Daily Mail.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Vanessa posted a touching montage featuring photos and videos of Gigi, expressing her love and pride for her daughter.
She wrote, "Happy birthday to my gorgeous girl, Gigi! I love you. I miss you. I'm so proud of you."
Vanessa Bryant honors late daughter Gigi on her 18th birthday
Vanessa also reflected on the milestones Gigi would have reached this year, such as graduating from high school and choosing a college.
She mentioned how she would have tried to convince Gigi to stay close to home, emphasizing the pride she felt in Gigi's passion for sports and her ongoing impact on young women and girls.
"2024 was your year. You would have been graduating high school and choosing which college to go to. (I would have been trying my hardest to convince you to stay close to home)."
"I'm proud of the change in sports you and daddy worked so hard on," Vanessa added.
"You continue to motivate me and inspire young women and girls daily. I love you always, mommy."
Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi were 41 and 13, respectively, at the time of the tragic incident.
Alongside them, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, Christina Mauser, and the pilot Ara Zobayan also lost their lives in the crash.
Kobe's legacy is immortalized by his remarkable 20-season NBA career with the Lakers, leaving an indelible mark on basketball fans worldwide.
Kobe, known as the Black Mamba, led the Los Angeles Lakers to legendary success in the 2000s, securing five NBA championships and earning two Finals MVP awards.
His daughter Gigi shared Kobe's passion for basketball and was actively involved in the sport at the Mamba Sports Academy, where she received guidance from her father.
Following their tragic death, Orange County supervisors unanimously designated August 24 as 'Kobe Bryant Day,' a tribute to Kobe's iconic jersey numbers. The City of Los Angeles had previously initiated this tradition in honor of Kobe following his retirement.
Kobe Bryant was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame alongside fellow basketball greats Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan on May 15, 2021, solidifying his enduring legacy in the sport.
Vanessa Bryant's emotional post for Gigi's 18th birthday sparks heartfelt responses online
Vanessa Bryant's emotional tribute to her late daughter Gigi on what would have been her 18th birthday has evoked heartfelt responses from people across the internet.
One user expressed the enduring pain of loss, saying, "Unfortunately you never heal, you just mourn."
Another user reflected on the surreal nature of the tragedy, commenting, "The whole thing was such a spectacle, didn't feel real, that I always forget that her child died. It's devastating."
Another user wrote, "No parent should ever have to bury their child! Godbless her, and daddy Mama!!"
Another user shared, "How awful must be for her, especially losing her daughter, very sad."
Among the responses was also a touching acknowledgment of Gigi's presence in spirit, with a user wishing her a "Happy Heavenly Birthday."
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
