26 January 2020, the day the basketball world lost one of its greatest assets. The jersey #24 will always mean something to every Lakers fan. It is not just a number, it is an emotion that will always sting a little when you think about it. Supporters wept as if they had lost a loved one. Candles, purple and gold flowers, and words written in shaky handwriting by people who had never even seen him flooded the streets outside the Staples Center, turning them into hallowed ground. But the grief hit hardest in one home—Vanessa’s.
“Kobe and I have been together since I was seventeen and a half years old. I was his first girlfriend, his first love, his wife, best friend, his confidant, his protector.” This sums up what Kobe was to Vanessa. The Black Mamba was anything but fierce toward his wife. His love enveloped her in a way that his loss would only deepen it for her. “Kobe loved me more than I can put into words.”
The romance between Kobe and Vanessa was anything but typical. Kobe frequently referred to Vanessa as his “Queen Mamba” and thanked her for being his anchor. Vanessa was ‘the one’ for the Mamba, he admitted in an interview with MTV News. “It’s hard to pinpoint what exactly makes a person the one for you, but you just know! I mean, love is a funny thing.” Their life was straight out of a romance movie. Would you imagine your husband walking in with a dress out of a movie? Well, Vanessa didn’t have to. Kobe gifted her the actual blue dress worn by Rachel McAdams in The Notebook. Growing old together, romance movie style, was always the plan. But fate decided otherwise.
This year, Vanessa once again reminded the world that grief doesn’t erase love—it deepens it. On April 18, she marked what would have been their 24th wedding anniversary with a moving Instagram post. She referred to Kobe as “my sweet husband and the beautiful father of my children. He was mine. He was my everything.” This wasn’t just a tribute to a marriage—it was a reminder of the legacy Kobe left behind, one rooted in love, resilience, and family.
Mar 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (left) and wife Vanessa Bryant attend an NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
While Vanessa is wrapped in the bittersweet memories of Koobe and Gigi, another family that feels the sting of loss is the Gasols.”I wouldn’t be here without you, brother. I wish more than anything that you and Gigi were here with us” Pau Gasol had said in his HoF acceptance speech. It is very evident what the relationship between the Bryants and the Gasols is, with Pau treating Kobe’s kids as his very own after Kobe’s passing and before.
Kobe left behind a legacy of love and memories that will forever hold a special place within the NBA world and especially within Vanessa and his daughters and Vanessa is stubborn in not letting his legacy wither.
Vanessa continues to uphold Kobe Bryant’s legacy
Vanessa’s dedication to preserving Kobe and Gianna’s legacy is one filled with strength and love. She promotes sports opportunities for marginalized youngsters through the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, which reflects Kobe and Gianna’s shared values of equality and athletic success.
In a touching remembrance, Vanessa will publish Mamba & Mambacita Forever, a book featuring more than 100 murals honoring Kobe and Gianna from all over the world. Through stories and art, this collection not only honors their influence but also makes sure that their memories live on.
Beyond these initiatives, Vanessa’s actions resonate deeply within the community. She embodied the giving spirit that Kobe embodied by spearheading efforts to distribute thousands of pieces of sportswear to families impacted by wildfires in Los Angeles. She has also promised to support the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation’s purpose by donating $16 million from a settlement of a lawsuit involving the improper release of crash scene images.
Kobe’s anniversary tribute from Vanessa Bryant serves as a potent reminder of their strong bond. Her homage represents fortitude, love, and resiliency despite the tragic loss. She continues to uphold Kobe’s legacy with her sincere remarks, guaranteeing that his influence and memory will endure forever.
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