Vanessa Bryant was born Vanessa Cornejo Urbieta on May 5, 1982, in California. She met Kobe Bryant when she was just 17 years old, and he was already one of the most famous basketball players in the world. He spotted her in a music video and asked a mutual friend to introduce them. Vanessa and Kobe began dating and got engaged just six months later. In 2001, they were married in a private ceremony in Dana Point, California.
The couple went on to have four daughters together, the youngest of whom was born in 2019, just months before Kobe’s passing. Vanessa had been a devoted wife and mother throughout her marriage, and her Instagram account documented her life as a doting mom, with photos of the couple’s vacations, their children’s birthdays, and their family outings. The couple had been planning out their future and looking forward to spending more time together after Kobe’s retirement from basketball.
However, on that fateful day in 2020, Kobe, his daughter Gianna, and seven others lost their lives in a helicopter crash. Vanessa and her three surviving daughters were left to cope with the overwhelming grief of losing a loving husband and father. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Vanessa struggled with the enormity of the loss, which was further compounded by the public attention and scrutiny that followed her every move.
Despite the unbearable pain she had to endure, Vanessa remained strong for her family and continued to live her life in honor of Kobe’s memory. She delivered a moving eulogy at the public memorial for Kobe and held a private funeral for her daughter Gianna and other victims of the accident. She has also used her platform to advocate for stricter safety regulations for helicopter travel, to prevent future accidents like the one that took her husband and child from her.
Vanessa has also continued to work towards fulfilling the couple’s dreams for their family. In late 2020, she launched the Mambacita clothing line, named in honor of her daughter, and with a percentage of the profits going to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation. In April 2021, she celebrated the induction of Kobe into the Basketball Hall of Fame, again using her social media to share photos and memories of their life together.
Vanessa Bryant has been a shining example of strength and resilience in the face of unimaginable tragedy. Her love for her family and her dedication to continuing Kobe’s legacy has been an inspiration to millions around the world. While nothing can replace the loss of her beloved husband and daughter, Vanessa’s unwavering determination to persevere through the pain has shown us all that even in the darkest of times, there can still be hope and light for the future.