Vanessa Bryant (L) and children Gianna Bryant (C) and Natalia Bryant at gameVanessa and Gianna Bryant (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
Vanessa Bryant, the widow of Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, fondly remembered her daughter Gianna this week.

Today is a special day.

May 1 is a tough day for Vanessa and the Bryant family, as it’s Gianna “Gigi” Bryant’s birthday. The daughter of Kobe and Vanessa would’ve turned 19 this Thursday.

On Thursday, May 1, the mom of four shared a tribute on Instagram, commemorating her late daughter as she posted a photo of Gigi in her basketball uniform.

Vanessa took a moment to honor her oldest with a sweet message.

“Happy birthday, Gigi! Mommy loves and misses you more than I could ever express. I love you, Gianna. ❤️19 ♉️ 5/1 #Mambacita,” wrote Vanessa Bryant.

 

Aside from Gianna, Vanessa shares daughters Natalia, 22, Bianka, 8, and Capri, 5, with her late husband, Kobe Bryant.

Gianna and her father, Kobe Bryant, were tragically killed in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020.

January 26, 2020 Was The Worst Day of Vanessa Bryant’s Life

CALABASAS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 26: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Alternate crop.) Wreckage of the crashed helicopter that was carrying former NBA star Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna smolders on the ground on January 26, 2020 in Calabasas, California. According to reports, five people including Bryant and his daughter have been confirmed killed in the crash. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
On January 26, 2020, Vanessa Bryant received the worst news of her life as she was informed Kobe and Gianna Bryant had been in a helicopter crash.

Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant, and seven other people died in the crash in Calabasas.

In the aftermath, Bryant and other families subsequently sued Los Angeles County over the sharing of graphic photos taken at the crash site.

They also sued Island Express Helicopters, the company that operated the helicopter.

Bryant, the widow of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, reached an almost $30 million settlement with Los Angeles County over photos taken of the scene of the deadly 2020 helicopter crash.

A settlement agreement against the helicopter company would end with Vanessa Bryant receiving $15 million and the remaining $13.85 million being distributed to her three surviving daughters.