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Kobe Bryant’s wife shares a ‘happy birthday’ post on the late NBA champ’s birthday

Vanessa Bryant has shared a touching Instagram post on what would have been the legendary basketballer’s 44th birthday.

American professional basketball player, Kobe Bryant, spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. En route to a basketball tournament in 2020 with his daughter Gianna by his side, the Bryant family was broken apart when the helicopter fatally crashed, taking both of their lives, along with seven other passengers.

Vanessa’s closest friends, and fans of the legendary basketballer, have reached out to the family in a show of support, on what must be a very difficult day for them. They’ve flooded the comments section of the widow’s birthday post with warm and loving remarks about her beloved husband. “Happy birthday, baby! I love you and miss you so much! #44 @kobebryant,” wrote Vanessa.

vanessa bryant
Credit: Instagram

Khloe Kardashian penned, “Happy birthday. I love you V!!!” beside a string of heart emojis. The official LA Lakers page also left a reply. They wrote, “Happy birthday KB,” and sported the team colours with purple and yellow hearts. 

At a time when the grieving widow should be given time and space to heal, Vanessa has found herself in the middle of a court case against the LA County Sheriff’s Department. She has filed a federal invasion of privacy lawsuit, after a deputy and firefighter, who were first responders to the scene, allegedly shared photos from the scene of the crash. According to the lawsuit, the deputy in question showed photos of the deceased basketballer to people at a bar and to off-duty colleagues, two days after the fatal crash.

Vanessa Bryant was joined by two celebrity supporters — singers Ciara and Monica — in Los Angeles federal court Monday
Vanessa Bryant with singers Ciara and Monica — in Los Angeles federal court Monday Credit: NY Post

Vanessa took to the stand last week in LA and tearfully recounted learning about the shocking photos being shared. In an emotional three-hour testimony, she recalled, “I just remember not wanting to react because the girls were in the room. I bolted out of the house and I broke down and cried and I just wanted to run down the block and scream. I can’t escape my body. I can’t escape what I feel.”

She went on to say, “I lived in fear every day of being on social media and having these photos pop up.” Vanessa’s daughters, Capri, 3, Bianka, 5, and Natalia have been a tower of support for their mother at the hearings. The case is as yet to be settled, as Vanessa plans on taking it to the fullest extent, telling the court on Friday, “I’m willing to go through hell and back to get justice for my husband and daughter.”