Vanessa Bryant said on Instagram that she loves and misses Kobe on his 44th birthday.

The 40-year-old said, "Happy birthday, baby!"

Vanessa has honoured Kobe, whom she married in April 2001, and daughter Gigi with tattoos, a clothing brand, and trips to Italy, where Kobe was reared.

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Vanessa submitted a picture from 2009, when Kobe won his 4th NBA championship and 1st NBA Finals MVP.

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Bryant, sporting his 2009 NBA championship jersey and helmet, hugs Vanessa post-game. They're both smiling.

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Vanessa commented in July, "We visited Reggio Calabria, where my husband resided as a child"

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