Vanessa Bryant Pays Tribute to Husband Kobe on What Would’ve Been His 46th Birthday… Read More 👇

Vanessa and Mambacita Sports released a new purple and gold collection in honor of the basketball legend’s birthday.

Vanessa Bryant shared a touching tribute to Kobe Bryant on what would have been her husband’s 46th birthday.

On Friday, Aug. 23, Vanessa, 42, wished the late basketball star a happy birthday with a sweet Instagram photo of her kissing him on the cheek.

“Happy birthday @kobebryant . I love you for now, forever & for always. ❤️,” the caption read.

The sweet post in honor of the late NBA champion comes on the same day as the Mamba League Invitational in Los Angeles, where Nike brings together the best high school basketball players in the city for a two-day tournament in honor of Kobe’s legacy.

Also in celebration of Kobe’s 46th birthday, Vanessa released an exclusive Mamba and Mambacita Sports drop called the L.A. Royal collection to honor the basketball star and their late daughter, Gianna Bryant, who lost her life alongside her father in a fatal 2020 helicopter crash.

“Throughout Kobe’s entire career, he gave his heart to the city of Los Angeles while wearing purple and gold, and these colors represent his deep love for the game, the Lakers and the city of Los Angeles,” Vanessa wrote in her Instagram post announcing the collection.

“We hope you enjoy this collection, and always remember to strive for excellence with your Mamba Mentality and to most importantly, Play Gigi’s Way 🦋🦋✨🦋🦋

Vanessa said that all of the net proceeds from the L.A. Royal collection will go towards the Mambacita Sports organization.

Kobe and Vanessa were married for twenty years, officially tying the knot in Dana Point, Calif., on April 18, 2001. The couple first met on the set of a music video in 1999.

Prior to Kobe’s retirement from basketball, the couple welcomed Natalia in 2003 and Gianna in 2006.

Following Kobe’s retirement from the NBA after 20 seasons, which he announced via a poem on The Players’ Tribune on Nov. 29, 2015, he and Vanessa welcomed two more daughters, Bianka in 2016 and Capri in 2019.

In January 2020, Kobe died in a helicopter crash, alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and six parents and teammates on her basketball team, along with the pilot.