Vanessa Bryant Wishes Kobe's Sister Sharia Washington A Happy Birthday With Adorable Post With Daughter Bianka
By TheBlast Staff on March 19, 2020 at 10:01 AM EDT
Gettyimages | JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX
It's been almost a month since Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna's public memorial took place at the STAPLES Center. It was an amazing one as we saw Jimmy Kimmel, Kobe's wife Vanessa, Michael Jordan, and more speak. The world is still mourning the loss of the two along with the seven others who died in the helicopter crash with them back on January 26. Today in the middle of the madness going on in the world, Vanessa might've just brightened things up.
Gettyimages | Harry How
Kobe always had a great relationship with his sister Sharia Washington and today is her birthday. Vanessa took to Instagram to post a photo of Washington with Bianka, who is the 3-year-old daughter of Kobe and Vanessa's. The IG caption read "Happy birthday, Sharia. Love you. ❤️ #tb pic (B.B and my sister-in-law)"
Last month, Washington also got a tattoo honoring Kobe and Gianna. It displayed a Black Mamba snake with the numbers 2 and 24 which were both of their jersey numbers.
Sharia Washington Instagram - @ShariaWash
Washington also released a joint statement with his other sister, Shaya Tabb, following the tragic deaths of Kobe and Gianna.
"On behalf of our family, we join Vanessa, Natalia, Bianka and Capri in grieving the loss of Kobe and Gianna in such a tragic accident. We are devastated by the loss of our brother, son, our niece and granddaughter, and our hearts go out to all the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday. Our lives are forever changed. Thank you for your prayers, the numerous calls, texts, emails and cards."
Gettyimages | Harry How
Following Vanessa's IG shout out, users on the app started to wish Washington best wishes on her birthday along with continued condolences. Washington has posted various throwback photos of Kobe when they were younger and when things were simply happier times.
Washington is very involved in fitness as she's partnered with Strong by Zumba and is also a softball coach. She also has a very large following on social media as she has 167,000 followers on Instagram. It's been amazing to see the support she's still receiving in the aftermath of Kobe and Gianna's passing along with the possible stress of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Sharia Washington Instagram - @ShariaWash
The NBA also did phenomenon jobs in honoring Kobe and Gianna following the tragedy. Kobe was also set to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this fall and it disappoints many basketball fans that we won't be able to see him deliver his speech. Nonetheless, he is still regarded as one of the best basketball players ever. Gianna was also on her way to greatness in the sport as she wanted to attend UConn for college and go on to play in the WNBA.
