Six years ago, January 26, 2020, the world stood still when it woke up to the tragic news of a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, that took away the lives of NBA icon Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant, and seven others.
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Today, Natalia Bryant, Kobe’s eldest daughter, marked the anniversary with a tribute that was as simple as it was moving. Taking to social media, the now 23-year-old woman shared a precious photo of herself with her father and younger sister, accompanied only by a single red heart emoji.
The image means a reminder of the “Mamba” and “Mambacita” legacy that Natalia and her mother, Vanessa Bryant, continue to carry forward.
The Bryant Family does not forget
Since that day, Vanessa Bryant has been the main figure of the family, raising her three daughters, Natalia (23), Bianka (9), and Capri (6) with a strength that has inspired millions of people worldwide.
The family has reached several beautiful milestones recently remembering the two, and proving that while grief is permanent, so is joy. Today Kobe Bryant would have been 47 years old, and Gigi would have been 19. On Monday, Natalia posted a loving photo of her with dad and Gigi to honor them in her official Instagram account:
Vanessa Bryant followed Natalia’s post with her own tribute, sharing a heartbreakingly beautiful photo of Kobe and Gigi together. Her message, echoed by the Los Angeles Lakers organization, was clear: “Mamba & Mambacita forever.”
The world still remembers too
The power of Kobe and Gigi’s memory lies in the idea they represented, one where you must constantly strive to be the best version of yourself: “Mamba Mentality”. From the statues unveiled at Crypto.com Arena to the countless murals across Los Angeles, the city continues to breathe the spirit of Number 8 and Number 24.
For Natalia, Bianka, and Capri, the legacy has nothing to do about championships or sneakers, it is about the love of a father who was a “Girl Dad” above all else. As the Bryant family continues their lives, there is no doubt that Kobe and Gigi are smiling down on the incredible women they have become after this years.
From here, we send our deepest support to the family.