Vanessa Bryant pays tribute to her late husband Kobe with wedding day throwback as she marks their 20th anniversary: ‘I love you’
It’s been over a year since she lost her husband and daughter Gianna in a tragic helicopter crash.
And Vanessa Bryant, 38, continued to mourn the loss of famed NBA star Kobe Bryant on their 20th wedding anniversary.
The widow shared a few images to pay tribute to their unwavering partnership on a very special day, writing: ‘I love you for now, forever and for always.’
Wedding anniversary: Vanessa Bryant, 38, continues to mourn the loss of husband Kobe Bryant on their 20th wedding anniversary with a series of tribute posts
A picture of she and the late NBA star kissing while they tied the knot in 2001 was accompanied with the caption: ‘Happy Anniversary, baby. I love you. 20 years.’
And in a second tribute post she shared a condensed video shot during the early days of his career, where he gushed over their relationship.
‘It’s fun, we have a good time together. I love her tremendously and we’re best friends too — it’s a blessing,’ the celebrated Laker said.
She captioned the video, ‘I love you for now, forever and for always.’
She received an outpouring of support from famous friends who sent her roses and commented with condolences on her tributes.
Touching tribute: In a condensed video the late NBA star made his love for his wife known as she reposted it to her Instagram
Loved up: ‘It’s fun, we have a good time together. I love her tremendously and we’re best friends too — it’s a blessing,’ the famed Laker said
Support: The widow received support from her famous friends who eased the pain of the loss on what would have been their 20th wedding anniversary
Roses: Kardashian favorite florist Jeff Leatham sent Vanessa a stunning bunch of roses
Former Lakers player Pau Gasol and his wife Catherine McDonnell sent her a stunning bouquet in the shape of a heart, and Kardashian favorite florist Jeff Leatham made sure she felt the love with a second bouquet.
On her tribute posts her friends made sure to let her know that they were there for her, Khloe Kardashian writing: ‘I love you V,’ after commenting with two different strings of hearts.
Jennifer Lopez — who recently broke off her engagement to Alex Rodriguez — had a poignant comment: ‘True love lasts forever.’
Oscar winning actress Viola Davis wrote: ‘Sending an ABUNDANCE of love today,’ and Emily In Paris star Lily Collins commented: ‘Sending all the love.’
Celebrity support: Khloe Kardashian sent her support to Vanessa in the comments
True love: Lopez who recently announced her split from A-Rod wrote: ‘True love lasts forever’
Longtime friends: TV personality Lala Anthony — who has remained longtime friends with the Bryant family — wrote: ‘Love u so much V. FOREVER LOVE. always here for u’
Support: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Kyle Richards also showed her support
Rachel Zoe and model Lily Aldridge also wrote a string of hearts on her post. And TV personality Lala Anthony — who has remained longtime friends with the Bryant family — wrote: ‘Love u so much V. FOREVER LOVE. always here for u.’
And Gasol’s wife commented: ‘Definition of true love. Thank you for setting such a great example of what LOVE means for millions, including myself. You two will forever have the most beautiful love story.’
In her Valentine’s Day tribute post to Kobe, Vanessa spoke about grief.
‘Let me be real – Grief is a messed up cluster of emotions. One day you’re in the moment laughing and the next day you don’t feel like being alive. I want to say this for people struggling with grief and heartbreaking loss. Find your reason to live.’
She spoke about finding the will to live by way of her daughters Natalia 18, Bianka, four, and Capri, one, saying ‘I try to push through that feeling for them,’ before writing ‘Death is guaranteed but living the rest of the day isn’t.’
Young love: The pair married in 2001 after she turned 18, the pair first meeting on a music video shoot when she was 17 and he was 21
Grieving: The widow spoke about grief in her Valentine’s Day tribute to Kobe writing: ‘Let me be real – Grief is a messed up cluster of emotions. One day you’re in the moment laughing and the next day you don’t feel like being alive’; pictured 2019
Vanessa was only 17 when the pair connected for the first time on an Eastsidaz music video shoot where she was working as a background dancer.
A then 21-year-old Kobe was in the same building working on his debut album – which was never released – and they struck up a conversation and exchanged numbers.
Reportedly he would send her flowers to her Huntington Beach high school office and pick her up after class with the pair swiftly getting engaged six months after meeting when she turned 18.
The pair were married the following year in April 2001 though Kobe’s parents took issue with the quick proposal and did not attend their wedding as they were reportedly disappointed he was not marrying a Black woman.
And after Gianna and Kobe lost their lives last January in a tragic helicopter crash, Vanessa has been trying to get closure — even if it means taking legal action.
Taking action: Vanessa filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County sheriff claiming that deputies shared unauthorized photos of the helicopter crash that ultimately killed her husband and daughter
Family life: The pair share four daughters together including the late Gianna who passed away along with Kobe in the tragic January 2020 helicopter crash
In September 2020 Vanessa filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County sheriff claiming that deputies shared unauthorized photos of the helicopter crash that ultimately killed her husband and daughter, which has prompted legislation to make the act of doing so a misdemeanor.
After reports circulated that graphic photos of the victims were being shared Bryant was understandably ‘shocked and devastated,’ which prompted the suit where she sought damages for negligence, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva told news outlets last spring that eight deputies were found to have taken or shared the graphic crime scene photos which he then ordered them to delete.
And Vanessa recently revealed the names of four of the eight deputies in question after a federal judge ruled in March that their names and ranks no longer needed to be kept private.
Kobe is set to be posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame next month and the family has tapped Michael Jordan to present the honor.
Memorial: Kobe is set to be posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame next month and the family has tapped Michael Jordan to present the honor; pictured February 2020
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