Vanessa Bryant Reminds Daughter Bianka It's Her Kobe Year as She Celebrates 8th Birthday: 'Daddy Year'

Mar. 15, 2025

Bianka Bryant (left) and late dad Kobe Bryant (right).Photo:Vanessa Bryant/Instagram; Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Vanessa Bryant/Instagram; Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Vanessa Bryant’sdaughter is celebrating her birthday with a sweet nod to her late father.

On Thursday, Dec. 5, Vanessa, 42, shared a photoon her Instagramas she celebrated her daughter Bianka’s 8th birthday. In the photo, Bianka wears a white dress and a matching white bow, smiling for the camera.

In her caption, the mom of four took a minute to honor her daughter, adding that she’s been reminding Bianka that this year will carry extra significance as it has a tie to her late dadKobe Bryant’s jersey number.

“BB-8! BB is 8 today! Happy birthday to our Sunshine. We love you so much, Bianka! You bring so much love and laughter into our lives,” Vanessa wrote.

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Vanessa Bryant and Bianka Bella Bryant.Vanessa Bryant Instagram

Vanessa Bryant Instagram

“You are so loved mama! 😘❤️🎉🎂🎉 You say it’s your BB8 birthday, and I’ll keep reminding you it’s your daddy (#8) year. ❤️.”

Kobe, whodied in a helicopter crashin 2020 at age 41, along with 13-year-old daughterGianna, wore the number 8 while on the Los Angeles Lakers before switching to the number 24.

Vanessa shares Gianna, Bianka, Natalia, 21, and Capri, 5, with Kobe.

Vanessa Bryant with three of her daughters.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Vanessa — along with her daughters Natalia, Bianka and Capri — all wore matching Dodgers jerseys that had No. 24 on the back in honor of Kobe.

Later the same day, Vanessa shared a series ofphoto and video highlightsfrom the game on Instagram, writing: “Thank you@dodgersfor supporting our@mambamambacitasportsfoundation. L.A. Love 🙏🏽💜💛 💙🤍.”

She also shareda photoof Bianka posing next to Betts, 31, with a big smile on her face.

source: people.com