Vanessa Bryant marks 48th birthday of late husband Kobe Bryant

Vanessa Bryant has honoured her late husband Kobe Bryant on what would have been the basketball star's 48th birthday.

The NBA player died on 26 January 2020 at the age of 41. He and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California along with seven other people.

"Happy birthday, baby," Vanessa wrote via Instagram on Sunday, along with a throwback picture of the former couple. "I love you so much."

In the photo, Vanessa can be seen sitting on her late husband's lap as the pair lounged in an outdoor chair.

She added her late husband's birthdate alongside a red heart and praying hands emojis in the short-but-sweet caption.

Several Hollywood celebrities and A-list sports stars showed their love and support in the comments section, including Kris Jenner, Candace Parker, Kimora Lee Simmons, Gabrielle Union and David Beckham.

Vanessa is also mum to Natalia Bryant, 23, Bianka Bryant, nine, and Capri Kobe Bryant, seven.

Her emotional tribute comes months after a social media post went viral in March 2026, claiming that she was pregnant with her long-term boyfriend's baby. Bryant clarified that she was not expecting and did not have a romantic partner.

Kobe and Vanessa met on a music video set in 1999 when she was 17 and he was 20. They were engaged six months later and married in April 2001.