Vanessa Bryant Announces Name Change to Kobe Bryant’s Foundation to Honor Daughter Gianna

It has been one week since Vanessa Bryant gave her heartbreaking speech for her 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and her late husband Kobe Bryant, at their celebration of life at the Staples Center after their tragic deaths in a helicopter crash in January of 2020.

People continue to show their support for Vanessa Bryant and her family.

Los Angeles is lit in purple and gold tonight as the memorial service for LA Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi takes place.

During the Staples Center’s "A Celebration of Life" — a tribute to Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna — grieving wife and mother Vanessa Bryant tearfully eulogized the late father and daughter. Bryant began her speech by sharing memories of her daughter.

Vanessa Bryant’s attorneys have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company that owned and operated the helicopter that crash on January 26, killing Kobe Bryant, their 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other passengers. According to the Los Angeles Times, in a complaint filed against the Island Express Helicopter and Island Express Holding Corp alleged that the pilot Ara Zobayan failed “to use ordinary care in piloting the aircraft and was “negligent.”

Vanessa Bryant fought through tears during a heartfelt speech at Staples Center on Monday morning for the public memorial held for her late husband Kobe and daughter Gianna Bryant. The Lakers legend and his 13-year-old daughter were two of seven others who perished in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, CA on January 26. Today marks Vanessa’s first public appearance with her daughters following the tragic accident. Kobe was 41.

Vanessa Bryant delivered a heartbreaking goodbye to her daughter, Gianna, and her and Kobe Bryant's memorial on Monday. 

This is such important and critical work to carry on in the memory of Kobe Bryant… and now, his late daughter Gianna Bryant, too.

Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant’s legacy will forever live on. On Thursday, February 13, Vanessa Bryant took to social media to announce the special meaning behind the change of the Mamba Sports Foundation’s name.

"There is no #24 without #2."

Gianna Bryant‘s legacy will live on through the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.

Gianna Bryant's legacy will live on through the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation. 

After Kobe and Gianna Bryant’s tragic passing last month, Vanessa Bryant is opening up about the pain she feels since losing both her husband and daughter at the same time. “I’ve been reluctant to put my feelings into words,” she wrote in a new social media post. “My brain refuses to accept that both Kobe and Gigi are gone. I can’t process both at the same time.” Along with the message, Vanessa shared a video of Kobe and Gianna during their time together at the Mamba Sports Academy.

Vanessa Bryant continues to mourn the loss of her husband, Kobe Bryant, and daughter, Gianna "Gigi" Bryant.

Vanessa Bryant is mourning the death of her 13-year-old daughter, Gianna.

Vanessa Bryant is mourning the death of her 13-year-old daughter, Gianna.