Vanessa Bryant was born Vanessa Cornejo Urbieta on May 5, 1982, in Huntington Beach, California. She grew up with a love of sports and played varsity volleyball and soccer in high school. After high school, she attended the University of Southern California, where she studied film and acting. It was during this time that she met Kobe Bryant, who had just been drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Vanessa and Kobe began dating in 1999 when she was just 17 years old, and they quickly became one of the most talked-about couples in the sports world. Despite their seven-year age difference and the fact that Vanessa was still in high school when they met, they fell in love and got engaged just six months later. They were married in April 2001 in a ceremony that was attended by many of Kobe’s Lakers teammates and other sports stars.
Over the next two decades, Vanessa and Kobe welcomed four daughters – Natalia, Gianna, Bianka, and Capri. They also faced some challenges in their marriage, including a 2003 sexual assault allegation against Kobe, which he denied but which caused a public scandal. Vanessa stood by her husband’s side throughout the ordeal, and the charges were eventually dropped.
Sadly, Vanessa’s life was turned upside down on January 26, 2020, when Kobe and Gianna were killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. The entire world was shocked by the news, and millions of people mourned the loss of Kobe and his daughter. Vanessa was left a widow with three young daughters to raise on her own.
In the months that followed, Vanessa showed incredible strength and grace as she navigated her new reality. She gave a moving eulogy at Kobe and Gianna’s memorial service, in which she shared stories about her husband and daughter and thanked the millions of people who had offered their condolences. She also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the helicopter company and pilot, hoping to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.
More than a year after the tragedy, Vanessa continues to honor her family’s legacy in various ways. She has created the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, which aims to create positive opportunities for young athletes in underserved communities. She has also worked with Nike to release a line of clothing and shoes honoring Gianna’s memory, with all proceeds going to the foundation.
Vanessa has also spoken publicly about the profound impact that Kobe and Gianna had on her life. She recently shared a letter that Gianna had written to her, in which she expressed her love and gratitude for her mother. Vanessa said she keeps the letter with her always and draws strength from it when she needs it.
In conclusion, Vanessa Bryant has proven herself to be a remarkable and resilient woman over the last year. She has faced unimaginable tragedy and loss but has remained committed to keeping her family’s memory alive and helping others in need. As she and her daughters continue to move forward, they have the support and admiration of millions of people around the world.