Pau Gasol, the legendary Los Angeles Lakers player and two-time NBA champion, celebrated his 46th birthday on July 6th.
He’s cherished among Lakers fans not just for his impressive achievements on the court but also for stepping up as a father figure to Natalia Bryant after the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant in 2020.
Gasol’s friendship with Vanessa Bryant has grown strong over the years, with both families forming a close bond through shared grief and support.
In a heartfelt gesture, Vanessa expressed her appreciation for Gasol on his birthday. On July 7, she was seen having fun with Natalia, Pau, and his wife, Kat, while playing a card game called Spoons.
In a lively Instagram video from that day, the four shared smiles and laughter, playfully referencing Pau’s mishaps during the game. Vanessa captioned the post, “🥄 🥄🥄😊😂 Happy Birthday @paugasol!!!!!! 🎉 I love you Uncle Pau! #hermano #family.” It really captures the warmth and gratitude Vanessa and Natalia feel for “Uncle Pau.”
Pau and Kat Gasol have three children, each born after the passing of Kobe and his daughter, Gianna, in January 2020. Their first daughter, Elisabeth Gianna, was born in late 2020, followed by their son Max in 2022, and their youngest, Olivia, arrived in January 2026.
This certainly won’t be the last celebration of birthdays for the Gasol and Bryant families together.
