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.