NBA legend, the late Kobe Bryant was born on this day in 1978. Kobe Bryant passed away in a tragic helicopter crash on January 26, 2020. On his birth anniversary, we take a look at some his personal and professioanl journey through romantic photos of him and wife Vanessa as well as some adorable pictures along with their children on Instagram. Pictures Courtesy/ Kobe and Vanessa Bryant's Instagram
Updated On: 2020-02-26 01:55 PM IST
NBA legend Kobe Bryant was born August 23, 1978. Bryant, 41, was killed in a tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas of southern California on January 26, 2020. He is considered to be one of the best NBA players in the history of the game.
Kobe Bryant's daughter Gianna Bryant, 13, was also on board and died. Bryant was on his way to a travel basketball game with his daughter when the helicopter crashed.
On February 7, 2020, Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were buried in a private funeral at Pacific View Memorial Park in California.
Post the death of Kobe Bryant and Gianna, Vanessa Bryant shared an emotional and long post on Instagram thanking everyone: My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time. Thank you for all the prayers. We definitely need them. We are completely devastated by the sudden loss of my adoring husband, Kobe — the amazing father of our children; and my beautiful, sweet Gianna — a loving, thoughtful, and wonderful daughter, and amazing sister to Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.
We are also devastated for the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday, and we share in their grief intimately.
There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now. I take comfort in knowing that Kobe and Gigi both knew that they were so deeply loved. We were so incredibly blessed to have them in our lives. I wish they were here with us forever. They were our beautiful blessings taken from us too soon.
I’m not sure what our lives hold beyond today, and it’s impossible to imagine life without them. But we wake up each day, trying to keep pushing because Kobe, and our baby girl, Gigi, are shining on us to light the way. Our love for them is endless — and that’s to say, immeasurable. I just wish I could hug them, kiss them and bless them. Have them here with us, forever.
Thank you for sharing your joy, your grief and your support with us. We ask that you grant us the respect and privacy we will need to navigate this new reality.
To honor our Team Mamba family, the Mamba Sports Foundation has set up the MambaOnThree Fund to help support the other families affected by this tragedy. To donate, please go to MambaOnThree.org. To further Kobe and Gianna’s legacy in youth sports, please visit MambaSportsFoundation.org.
Thank you so much for lifting us up in your prayers, and for loving Kobe, Gigi, Natalia, Bianka, Capri and me. #Mamba #Mambacita #GirlsDad #DaddysGirls #Family
In his 20-year-professional NBA career, Kobe Bryant played with Los Angeles Lakers.
At age 34 years and 104 days, Kobe Bryant set a record to be the youngest NBA player in history to score 30,000 career points.
Kobe Bryant ranks number 4 on NBA's all-time regular-season scoring as well as the all-time postseason scoring lists.
Kobe Bryant has many accolades attached to his name: five NBA championships, 18-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team, 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and two-time NBA Finals MVP winner.
Kove Bryant's playing style was quite similar to NBA legend Michael Jordan and he was considered one of the most dangerous scorers in NBA.
In his NBA career with LA Lakers, Kobe Bryant played 1,346 games, scoring 1,198 points.
Kobe Bryant grew up with two sisters - Sharia and Shaya, whom he was very close to until his untimely death. Kobe's love for basketball began at age 6.
During his school days, Kobe Bryant was a member of a rap group named CHEIZAW.
Kobe Bryant is also a two-time gold medal winner (2008 and 2012 Olympics).
After dating for six months, Kobe Bryant and Vanessa got engaged.
It was in November 1999, at age 21 that Kobe Bryant met the girl of his dreams - 17-year-old Vanessa - as she worked as a dancer for a music video.
Vanessa Bryant shared this picture and wrote, "The day we met 20 years ago. K.o.b.e. I L.o.v.e. YOU @kobebryant #forever 11/27/99 #firstpic"
On April 18, 2001, Kobe Bryant and his ladylove Vanessa exchanged their vows at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Dana Point, California. His parents, sisters, teammates and agent did not atttend the wedding.
Kobe Bryant recognised his daughter Gianna's passion to play basketball and also began coaching her with the intent of her making it professionally in the WNBA.
In picture: Kobe Bryant and his daughter watching the LA Lakers game in November 2019. Vanessa shared and wrote, "Mambacita and her daddy watching the @lakers game tonight."
Kobe Bryant famously nicknamed himself 'Black Mamba.' Kobe said this was due to "a desire for his basketball skills to mimic the eponymous snake's ability to "strike with 99% accuracy at maximum speed, in rapid succession."
On April 19, 2018, their 17th wedding anniversary, Vanessa Bryant shared a throwback photo with Kobe Bryant and wrote, 'Happy Anniversary @kobebryant !!! #17years #TB
On Valentine's Day 2018, Kobe Bryant shared an intimate throwback photo of him and Vanessa and wrote, 'Happy Valentine’s Day my love and best friend @vanessabryant #queenmamba #mireina #persempre'
On April 14, 2016, Vanessa Bryant shared a picture with Kobe along with a heartfelt post, "This is it!!! Today's the day!!!! My family and I are so excited. So happy to hear, "the 4th and FINAL period" one last time. My girls and I are so happy to have Kobe home more often. We've all sacrificed so much time, birthdays, holidays, family functions and special events to be there for Kobe. I really want to thank my daughters, Natalia and Gianna, for being patient and understanding how much hard work, sacrifice and dedication it takes to see their dad accomplish so many great things. Kobe has an incredible work ethic and amazing drive to be the best at whatever he sets his mind to and with that comes many sacrifices. We're thankful for everything the Lord has blessed us with. The road hasn't always been easy. We've had our ups and downs, but I'm so thankful we managed to persevere against the odds. We couldn't have done it without our faith and God's grace. We're so happy to have seen the amount of joy Kobe brings to his fans and the city of Los Angeles. My daughters and I have been present at many of Kobe's Make-a-Wish meet and greets, and words cannot explain how much joy he brings to people that are going through really difficult times in their lives. I thank all those beautiful families that have allowed us to share in those joyous moments. All of that really helped put things into perspective for me as a wife and mother. We must always remember that when life gets tough, there is always someone facing much more difficult times in their lives. And, in those hard times, we can be each other's strength, and remember that it's in the trials of life that God grows us even more! Thank you all for your amazing love and support for our family in all times! We will forever be grateful!! With Love, Vanessa Bryant"
Vanessa Bryant shared this throwback picture in January 2020 with Kobe Bryant: #tbt 2007 (sequined shorts for my 25th birthday)
On Vanessa's birthday in 2019, Kobe Bryant shared a photo with his wifey and wrote, "Happy Birthday to my beautiful baby @vanessabryant you are like fine wine baby ti amo per sempre #queenmamba #taurus
On Father's Day in 2018, Vanessa shared a collage of Kobe Bryant with his daughters and wrote, 'Happy Father’s Day babe! You’re an incredible father to our girls and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to be on this amazing and wonderful parenting journey with. Thanks for always being present, loving, caring and the best daddy ever!!!We love you so much. Love always, V, Natalia, Gianna and Bianka'
On Mother's Day in 2019, Kobe Bryant shared a photo with his family and wished his wife, "Happy Mother’s Day @vanessabryant we love you and thank you for all that you do for our family. You are the foundation of all that we hold dear. I love you #mybaby #lioness #mamabear #queenmamba"
Singer Alicia Keys and Boyz II Men and many others payed touching tributes to NBA legend Kobe Bryant at the 2020 Grammy Awards ceremony held at Staples Center. Sports stars and film celebs alike also took to social media to express their grief over the death of the NBA star.
