Vanessa Bryant Issues Heartfelt Birthday Message, to Late Husband Kobe Bryant.br The late basketball star would br have turned 44 on Aug. 23.br Kobe and daughter Gigi were tragically killed br in a helicopter accident in 2020.br Vanessa took to Instagram br to issue Kobe a touching tribute. .br Happy birthday, baby! br I love you and miss you br so much! #44 ️br (heart emoji) br @kobebryant, Vanessa Bryant, via Instagram.br 'TMZ' reports that the photo Vanessa posted was from when Kobe was named NBA Finals MVP for the first time.br 'TMZ' reports that the photo Vanessa posted was from when Kobe was named NBA Finals MVP for the first time.br It was also the fourth time Kobe br won an NBA championship. .br Vanessa and Kobe married in 2001.br Vanessa has honored Kobe and Gigi's lives in numerous ways since their untimely deaths.br including getting tattoos br with their other daughter, br Natalia, and launching br Mambacita, a clothing line.