It has been six years. Six years since the world stopped on a Sunday morning in January. We all remember where we were when the news broke about that helicopter in Calabasas. But for Vanessa Bryant and her girls, it wasn’t just a global tragedy or a "Mamba Mentality" trending topic. It was home. It was the empty seat at the dinner table. Honestly, watching how Kobe Bryant and daughters Natalia, Bianka, and Capri have navigated the time since 2020 is a masterclass in resilience that doesn't feel like a PR script. It feels real. It feels heavy, but somehow, it feels hopeful too.
People still search for updates on the Bryant family constantly. They want to know if the kids are okay. They want to see Gigi’s spark in her younger sisters. As of early 2026, the Bryant family isn't just "surviving" the loss; they are actively building something new while keeping the old fires burning.
Natalia Bryant: The New Standard for the "Eldest Daughter"
Natalia Diamante Bryant is 23 now. Think about that for a second. She was just 17 when she lost her dad and her best friend, Gigi. Most kids are worried about prom at 17, but Natalia became the "right-hand woman" to Vanessa almost overnight.
In May 2025, she reached a massive milestone that would have had Kobe jumping out of his seat: she graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California (USC). She didn't just coast through on her name, either. She was balancing a full-blown modeling career with IMG Models and even interning for Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour. Yeah, she was literally working the floor for Queen Bey while hitting the books.
What’s cool is how she honors her dad without making it her whole identity. On her graduation day, she had the Black Mamba symbol embroidered right on her USC stole. Subtle. Classy. She’s mentioned in interviews that talking about Kobe is "bittersweet," but she prefers the joy of the memories over the sadness now. You can see the shift in her. She’s not just "Kobe’s daughter" anymore—she’s a fashion industry professional who happens to carry one of the most famous legacies in sports history.
The Mambacita Legacy: Gigi is Still Everywhere
You can't talk about Kobe Bryant and daughters without spending a long time on Gianna "Gigi" Bryant. She was the one. The heir apparent to the hardwood.
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Gigi would have been 19 this year. It’s a strange thought, right? In another timeline, we’d be watching her lead a college team to a Final Four. Instead, her impact has moved into the philanthropic space. The Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation has become a powerhouse for girls' sports. Vanessa rebranded it specifically to include Gigi’s nickname because, as she put it, "there is no #24 without #2."
Nike is still keeping the "Mambacita" line alive, with recent shoe drops like the Kobe 8 "Mambacita" in 2024 and 2025, where the profits go straight into funding sports for underserved kids. It’s not just about selling sneakers. It’s about the fact that whenever a kid put on those black-and-white kicks to play a middle school game, Gigi is technically still on the court.
Bianka and Capri: The "Daddy's Twins"
Then you’ve got the little ones. Bianka Bella is 9, and Capri Kobe (lovingly called "Koko") is 6.
If you follow Vanessa on social media, you’ve seen the photos. It’s almost spooky how much they look like Kobe. Vanessa calls them "Daddy’s twins," and she’s not kidding. They have his eyes. They have that same mischievous "I’m about to win this game" grin.
For New Year's 2026, Vanessa shared photos of the girls dressed as 90s cowgirls for the "Year of the Horse." It was a lighthearted moment, but the captions always carry that weight. They are growing up in a world where their father is a literal statue outside the Crypto.com Arena, yet they seem remarkably grounded.
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- Bianka: Apparently she's the fashionista of the group. Natalia has joked that her 9-year-old sister basically styles her and knows exactly what looks good.
- Capri: She was only seven months old when the accident happened. She never really "knew" her dad in the way Natalia did, but she’s being raised in a house where his stories are the wallpaper.
How Vanessa Bryant is Protecting the Name
Vanessa has been through the ringer, legally and emotionally. We all saw the headlines about the 2022 trial regarding the crash site photos. She won that $28.85 million settlement, but it was never about the cash. It was about the principle—protecting the dignity of Kobe Bryant and daughters from people who didn't respect their privacy in their darkest hour.
Lately, her focus has shifted to storytelling. In late 2025, she announced a book called Mamba & Mambacita Forever. It’s a collection of the murals from all over the world. It’s her way of saying "thank you" to the fans who painted her husband and daughter on the sides of buildings in Manila, Los Angeles, and Italy.
She’s also been a fixture at big events, like the US Open in late 2025, bringing Bianka and Capri along. She’s showing them that life continues, that you can be "angelic in all-white" (as the tabloids put it) while still carrying the "Mamba Mentality" of never giving up.
What This Means for the Rest of Us
The Bryant story isn't just a celebrity news item. It’s a blueprint for anyone dealing with "the after." How do you keep going when the main pillar of your life is gone?
Basically, you do what Natalia did: you embroider the memory into your success. You do what Vanessa did: you fight for the boundaries of your family. And you do what Bianka and Capri are doing: you just live. You wear the cowgirl hat. You go to the tennis match. You smile.
Actionable Takeaways from the Bryant Legacy:
- Redefining Resilience: Resilience isn't just "getting over it." It's integrating the loss into your future goals, like Natalia's graduation stole.
- Legacy via Action: If you want to honor someone, don't just talk about them. Build something. The Mamba & Mambacita Foundation does more for Gigi’s memory than any Instagram post ever could.
- The Power of "No": Vanessa's legal battles proved that you have the right to protect your family's narrative, even against massive institutions.
If you’re looking to support the causes they care about, the best place to start is the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation. They are constantly running clinics and programs for young athletes who don't have the resources to get started. You can also look into the various Nike "Mamba" releases, as a portion of those proceeds consistently funds these community projects. Supporting the foundation is the most direct way to ensure the "Girl Dad" spirit stays alive for the next generation of players.