Vanessa Bryant Celebrates 'Loving' Daughter Natalia's 21st Birthday and Honors 'Best Girl Daddy' Kobe Bryant
The sweet tribute comes as Natalia Bryant turned 21 on Friday
Vanessa Bryant is paying a touching birthday tribute to her daughter Natalia.
The 41-year-old celebrated daughter Natalia turning 21 in a heartwarming post on Friday as she also remembered late husband Kobe Bryant and the close bond he shared with their eldest daughter in her messages.
On her Instagram Story, Vanessa reposted a photo of Kobe from a fanpage sitting courtside wearing the hospital bracelet given to Natalia the day she was born as the song “My Girl” by The Temptations played.
“❤️Best Girl Daddy ❤️” Vanessa referred to the late basketball star in the caption.
“One day after the birth of Natalia Bryant, Kobe wore his hospital ID bracelet during the entire Lakes game💜,” a separate caption, from Kobe Highlights & Motivation, across the post read.
“Happy Birthday,” Vanessa added in the form of a sticker, tagging Natalia at the end.
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The proud mom also posted a sweet video montage including various photos of Natalia as a child up until now, with her siblings and late father Kobe, as the song "Happy Birthday" by Stevie Wonder played.
"Happy birthday 21st birthday @nataliabryant!!! We love you so much!!!!" Vanessa wrote in the caption. "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! ❤️😘🎂🎉❤️."
Related: Natalia Bryant Says Mamba Mindset Motivates Her After Dad Kobe's Death: 'The Job's Never Done'
Vanessa shares daughters Natalia, Bianka, 7, and Capri Kobe, 4, with NBA legend Kobe, who died in a helicopter crash along with their daughter Gianna — who was 13 at the time — in 2020.
Family friend Ciara also honored Natalia on Friday as she posted a beaming joint selfie of the pair on Instagram, which the 21-year-old reposted.
“Happy Birthday Nani Boo @nataliabryant!” the singer, 38, wrote in the caption. “The Big 21!! Wow! I’m so proud of you and how you’ve been killing it! Keep shining mama! We love you so much! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️.”
Related: Natalia Bryant Admits She Was ‘Terrified’ of Making Her Runway Debut at the Versace Show Last Fall
In her newly-released cover story for Town & Country this week, Natalia opened up about how she continues to be impacted by the ambitious mindset of her late father, four years after his death.
“In terms of legacy, my main goal is just to be the best version of me that I possibly can,” Natalia told the magazine. She added that she has an “understanding that there’s no expectation that I should have for each stage of life.”
“I just need to know that I have to keep learning because there’s no finish line,” the USC film student and fashion model continued. “You just have to keep pushing and being the best person you can be and soaking everything up like a sponge... The job’s never done.”
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