Vanessa Bryant has paid tribute to her late husband, former NBA star Kobe Bryant, on their 19th wedding anniversary with a heartfelt Instagram post.
Vanessa and Kobe wed in California on 18 April 2001, having first met in November 1999. They had four daughters together.
On 26 January 2020, 41-year-old Kobe and their second-eldest daughter, 13-year-old Gianna, were among nine people who died in a helicopter crash.
To mark her 19th anniversary with her late spouse, Vanessa shared a photograph on Instagram which shows the couple sitting on a sofa, Kobe kissing her on the cheek as she smiles at the camera.
“My king, my heart, my best friend. Happy 19th wedding anniversary baby,” the 37-year-old wrote in the caption.
“I miss you so much. I wish you were here to hold me in your arms. I love you.”
In a second Instagram post, Vanessa shared a picture of a bouquet of roses she was sent on the occasion of her wedding anniversary with Kobe.
Several of Vanessa’s 13.9m Instagram followers sent her messages of support underneath her anniversary post.
“I’m sending you all my love babe,” wrote reality television star Khloe Kardashian.
“Sending you love,” commented The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor Nia Long.
On Friday 17 April, a virtual draft was conducted by the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) for the 2020 season.
WNBA commissioner Cathey Englebert announced that Gianna Bryant, Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester had been selected as honorary draft picks. The three teenage athletes were among the victims of the helicopter crash in January.
Vanessa thanked the basketball association for making Gianna an honorary draft pick, saying it “would have been a dream come true” for her, as she was an aspiring basketball player.
“She worked tirelessly every single day. She wanted to be one of the greatest athletes of all time, just like her Daddy,” Vanessa said.
“So thank you, thank you for honouring my little girl.”
