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Vanessa Bryant marked what would have been Kobe Bryant's 46th birthday with a heartfelt tribute to her late husband. On Friday, August 23, Vanessa posted a touching image on Instagram of herself kissing Kobe on the cheek, expressing her love and remembrance on this significant day.
"Happy birthday @kobebryant. I love you for now, forever & for always," she captioned the post.
This special tribute came on the same day as the Mamba League Invitational in Los Angeles, a two-day basketball tournament organized by Nike.
The event gathers some of the best high school basketball talent in the city, celebrating Kobe's legacy and his contributions to the sport, particularly in his hometown of Los Angeles.
The exclusive L.A. Royal collection
In addition to the Instagram tribute, Vanessa commemorated Kobe's birthday with the launch of the exclusive L.A. Royal collection, a new release from the Mamba and Mambacita Sports line.
"Throughout Kobe's entire career, he gave his heart to the city of Los Angeles while wearing purple and gold, and these colors represent his deep love for the game, the Lakers and the city of Los Angeles," Vanessa wrote.
The collection honors not only Kobe but also their daughter, Gianna, who tragically ed away with her father in a helicopter crash in 2020. Vanessa announced that all proceeds from this collection would benefit the Mambacita Sports Foundation, continuing the mission of ing young athletes that Kobe and Gianna were so ionate about.
Kobe and Vanessa's relationship spanned more than two decades. The couple married on April 18, 2001, in Dana Point, California, after first meeting on the set of a music video in 1999.
Their marriage was marked by deep love and mutual , and they became parents to four daughters, with Natalia born in 2003 and Gianna in 2006.