Vanessa Bryant's Sweetest Girl Mom Moments
Even in the face of tragedy, Vanessa Bryant continues to be a loving, devoted mother to her daughters Natalia Bryant, Bianka Bryant, and Capri Bryant.
It all started in Nov 1999, when Vanessa and Kobe Bryant met, when he was 21 and she was 17. They got engaged six months later, despite Vanessa still being in high school.
Later, they tied the knot in April 2001; and then went on to welcome four daughters together.
They welcomed four beautiful daughters named Natalia, born on Jan 2003, Gianna Bryant, born on May 2006, Bianka, born on Dec 2016, and Capri, born on June 2019.
Vanessa and Kobe were separated from 2011 til early 2013, but seemed happier than ever as a family of six.
However, tragically, Kobe and Gianna passed away suddenly on Jan. 26, 2020, after a helicopter crash that shocked the nation.
Since then, Vanessa has made it a priority to ensure her three living daughters have the best life they can; and gives fans the sweetest updates along the way.
Below, see how Vanessa shows she’s the proudest, most devoted mom.
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‘Girl Dad’ Statue
In case you missed it, the family showed off a new sculpture outside Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles; which beautifully honors Kobe and Gianna. It is a bronze statue titled “Girl Dad,” which was unveiled on Aug 2.
The piece was designed by Karon Davis and created by the artists of Rotblatt Amrany Studio. It is said to honor “the Bryant family’s support for women and girls in sports. The tribute represents Kobe and Gianna’s exceptional basketball legacy and the uplifting relationship Kobe shared with all four of his daughters.”
Vanessa, Bianka, Capri, and Natalia were all there to unveil the statue.
How Her Late Daughter & Husband ‘Inspire Her Everyday’
Vanessa Bryant previously opened up about the ongoing process of grieving their tragic loss, of losing both Kpbe Bryant and Gianna Bryant.
“I can’t say that I’m strong every day,” she said to People. “I can’t say that there aren’t days when I feel like I can’t survive to the next. … This pain is unimaginable [but] you just have to get up and push forward.”
“Kobe and Gigi motivate me to keep going,” she shared, adding, “They inspire me to try harder and be better every day. Their love is unconditional and they motivate me in so many different ways.” Bryant said her three living daughters help her “smile through the pain” and are a source of “strength” as well.
How Vanessa Honors ‘Girl Dad’ Kobe
On May 31, 2024, Vanessa shared her newest release: a pair of sneakers for Father’s Day that honors the late Jobe, and how he loved being a girl dad. She shared the photos with the caption reading, “??GIRL DAD ?? For our Most Valuable Girl Dad. This Father’s Day we celebrate Kobe’s commitment and love for our daughters Natalia, Gianna, Bianka and Capri with the Kobe 4 Protro ‘Girl Dad’. ???? @nataliabryant.”
How She Has the Sweetest Nickname for Her Daughters
On Feb 9, 2024, Vanessa shared a photo of her and three of her daughters on her Instagram. She shared the photos from the Kobe Bryant Statue Unveiling with the caption reading, “Queen Mamba & my lil’ mambas ????????,” showing everyone her nickname for her kids: they’re her “lil Mambas.”
….And the Specified Nicknames She Has for Each Daughter
She has adorable nicknames for all of her daughters: Natalia is frequently called “Nani,” Gianna was “Gigi,” Bianka is “Koko Bean” and “BB,” and Capri is “Mini Bean.”
How She Gives the Sweetest Tributes to Her Daughters
On Jan 19, 2024, Vanessa shared a compilation tribute video for her eldest birthday girl Natalia. She shared the video on Instagram with the caption reading, “Happy birthday, 21st birthday, @nataliabryant !!! We love you so much!!!! You are what every parent hopes and prays for. You are such a beautiful, strong, smart, loving young woman with the kindest soul and I am so proud to be your mommy! I love you, mama! ??????????”
How She Helps Bianka & Capri Twin With Their Fashion
Vanessa Bryant’s two youngest kids, Bianka and Capri, often twin together, whether it be at Disney World or a day at the park. And every time they do it, it melts our hearts!
How She Wants to Protect Her Daughters From Evil Images Online
On Aug 19, 2023, Vanessa gave a powerful speech about her “her babies,” Kobe and Gianna, per People. She told the court that she has to “live in fear every day of being on social media and having these photos pop up,” continuing by saying, “I want to remember my husband and my daughter the way that they were. I don’t ever want to see these photographs. I have three little girls.”
How She Made Bianka’s Dream Come True With a Taylor Swift Concert
Back in the summer of 2023, Vanessa took both 6-year-old Bianka and 20-year-old Natalia to Swift’s show in Los Angeles. And she documented the epic mommy-daughter date on Instagram, sharing a photo of the moment Bianka’s wildest dreams came true — Taylor Swift met the little girl at the front of the stage during a performance of “22,” and she gathered Bianka up into the sweetest, most adorable hug. In the photo posted by Vanessa, both the singer and the 6-year-old have the biggest smiles on their faces. “We love you @taylorswift ??,” reads the caption.
How She Gives Her Daugthers Disney Magic Whenever She Can
Vanessa Bryant gives her girls a little big of magic whenever she can, oftentimes taking then to Disney events throughout the year together.
How She Supports Her Daughters’ Love of Sports
Like their late father, Kobe Bryant, Bianka, Capri, and Natalia have shown their love of sports, from basketball to soccer (and Vanessa has documented every time for her fans to see)!
How They Showed a United Front
Natalia Bryant, Vanessa Bryant, Bianka Bryant, and Capri Bryant made an ultra-rare appearance together, showing a united front, at the unveiling of Kobe Bryant’s Hand & Footprints at the TCL Chinese Theatre on March 15, 2023.
How She Got Honest About Natalia Going off to College
When Vanessa Bryant’s eldest daughter Natalia was college-bound, she was feeling all the big emotions. She shared on her Instagram story the big announcement that Vanessa would be attending LMU in Los Angeles. She wrote a little note on the pic that read, “Glad you got accepted but too far…j/k.” We get it, even down the road can feel so far away!
How She Got Beautiful Tribute Tattoos
Back in 2021, Vanessa Bryant revealed a new arm tattoo in remembrance of Gigi: the word “Mambacita” with a heart over the “I” and a butterfly at the end of the word; and she also got messages from both Kobe and Gianna “Gigi” tattooed on her as well.
How She’s ‘Going to Make the Day Better for My Girls’
“Lying in bed crying isn’t going to change the fact that my family will never be the same again,” Bryant told People about how she uses all of her strength to make her daughters happy. “But getting out of bed and pushing forward is going to make the day better for my girls and for me. So that’s what I do.”
How She Ensures They Go All Out for Holidays
They go all out for holidays; which Vanessa has shown time and time again with Instagram posts detailing their Easters at Disney, going to Rockefeller Center at Christmas, and adorable full-family costume moments for Halloween.