Andrew Pace
Vanessa Bryant, widow of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, is an American businesswoman and philanthropist. She is known for her charitable work, including the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation, which provides scholarships to minority college students worldwide. Vanessa has also been involved in controversies, such as a public accusation against Lakers player Karl Malone and a lawsuit filed by her former housekeeper alleging abuse. While Vanessa has maintained a discreet life, she gained widespread attention when she started dating Kobe and later during their highly publicized divorce proceedings due to his infidelity. She has four daughters with Kobe and continues to honour his legacy through various endeavours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Vanessa Urbieta Cornejo Laine |
| Birth Name | Vanessa Urbieta Cornejo |
| Date of Birth | May 5, 1982 |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California |
| Parents | Mother: Sofia Urbieta, Father: Unknown |
| Step-father | Stephen Laine |
| Siblings | Sophie Laine |
| Profession | Businesswoman, Philanthropist |
| Spouse | Kobe Bryant |
| Children | Natalia Diamante, Gianna "Gigi" Maria-Onore, Bianka Bella, Capri Kobe |
| Foundation | Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation |
| Book | Mamba & Mambacita Forever |
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What You'll Learn
- Vanessa Bryant is not a cast member of *Basketball Wives*
- Vanessa Bryant is the widow of NBA star Kobe Bryant
- Vanessa Bryant and Kobe Bryant had four daughters
- Vanessa Bryant and Kobe Bryant founded the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation
- Vanessa Bryant learned of Kobe Bryant's infidelity from other basketball wives
Vanessa Bryant is not a cast member of *Basketball Wives*
Vanessa Bryant has always maintained a discreet life despite being married to one of the NBA's most iconic stars. She has, however, been the subject of media attention on several occasions. In 2004, she accused Lakers player Karl Malone of acting inappropriately towards her, and in 2009, her housekeeper sued the Bryants, alleging that Vanessa had mistreated her. Additionally, Vanessa filed for divorce from Kobe in 2019, citing infidelity as the reason.
While Vanessa Bryant is not a cast member of *Basketball Wives*, she has been associated with the show due to reports that other basketball wives informed her of Kobe's infidelity. According to sources, NBA players confided in their wives about Kobe's off-court antics, and those wives then shared this information with Vanessa. This led to Vanessa filing for divorce and ultimately ending her marriage to Kobe.
Vanessa Bryant has since focused on honoring the legacy of her late husband and daughter through various initiatives. She leads the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, previously known as the Mamba Sports Foundation, which supports youth athletes in need. In 2021, she also launched a clothing line called Mambacita in honor of her daughter, with all proceeds going towards the foundation. Additionally, she released a book called *Mamba & Mambacita Forever*, which celebrates the lives and impact of Kobe and Gianna.
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Vanessa Bryant is the widow of NBA star Kobe Bryant
Vanessa Bryant met Kobe Bryant in November 1999 when she was working as a background dancer for the Tha Eastsidaz rap music video "G'd Up." They were engaged six months later and married on April 18, 2001, in Dana Point, California. The couple had four daughters: Natalia Diamante, Gianna "Gigi" Maria-Onore, Bianka Bella, and Capri Kobe.
Vanessa and Kobe Bryant were also philanthropic. Together, they founded the VIVO Foundation, later renamed the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation, which provides scholarships for minority college students worldwide. They were also founding donors of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. After Kobe and their daughter Gianna's deaths in a helicopter crash in 2020, Vanessa changed the name of Kobe's Mamba Sports Foundation to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation in honor of her daughter, and she launched a clothing line with all proceeds going towards the foundation.
In addition to her philanthropic work, Vanessa Bryant has also been involved in several public controversies. In 2004, she accused Lakers player Karl Malone of acting inappropriately towards her, which he later denied. She was also sued by her former housekeeper, Maria Jimenez, who alleged that Vanessa had harassed and humiliated her. Vanessa and Kobe Bryant counter-sued, alleging that Jimenez had breached a confidentiality agreement. In 2016, Vanessa filed for divorce, citing infidelity as the reason. Despite this, she spoke fondly of her late husband in a 2021 speech, highlighting his accomplishments on and off the court and describing him as "the very best girl dad."
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Vanessa Bryant and Kobe Bryant had four daughters
Vanessa Bryant, born Vanessa Urbieta Cornejo on May 5, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, to Mexican immigrant Sofia Urbieta, is an American businesswoman and philanthropist. She is the widow of American professional basketball player Kobe Bryant, with whom she had four daughters: Natalia Diamante, Gianna "Gigi" Maria-Onore, Bianka Bella, and Capri Kobe.
Vanessa and Kobe Bryant founded the VIVO Foundation in 2007, which was later renamed the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation. The charity supports increasing a global perspective among young people and provides scholarships for minority college students and other youth worldwide. The couple also co-founded the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
On January 26, 2020, Kobe and his second daughter, Gianna, died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Following their deaths, Vanessa renamed Kobe's Mamba Sports Foundation to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation in honor of her daughter. The foundation supports young athletes in need, and in May 2021, Vanessa launched a clothing line in partnership with a female-owned brand, Dannijo, with all proceeds going towards the foundation.
Vanessa has credited her three surviving daughters as being her "light in the darkness" and has shared that they have given her the strength to move forward after Kobe and Gianna's deaths. She has also expressed the importance of helping her girls navigate through their heartache and ensuring they feel loved, supported, and important.
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Vanessa Bryant and Kobe Bryant founded the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation
Vanessa Bryant, born Vanessa Urbieta Cornejo, is an American businesswoman and philanthropist. She is the widow of the late American professional basketball player Kobe Bryant.
Vanessa and Kobe founded the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation in 2006 or 2007. The charity was originally called the VIVO Foundation. The foundation was created to financially support young people in "life-changing experiences designed to broaden their global perspectives". The charity has also provided scholarships for minority college students and youth worldwide, as well as worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Vanessa and Kobe were also major donors to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in downtown D.C., giving at least $1 million in financial support. They were listed as Founding Donors on the museum's website.
The Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation also operates Mamba FC, a youth soccer club in Orange County that teaches young athletes how to become leaders and independent thinkers. The foundation has also partnered with several Los Angeles-based organizations to address the critical issue of youth homelessness.
Vanessa has also been involved in other philanthropic endeavours. She leads the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting child athletes in need. In 2021, she launched a clothing line in partnership with a female-owned brand, Dannijo, with all proceeds going towards the Mambacita Sports Foundation.
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Vanessa Bryant learned of Kobe Bryant's infidelity from other basketball wives
Vanessa Bryant, born Vanessa Urbieta Cornejo, is an American businesswoman and philanthropist. She is the widow of the American professional basketball player Kobe Bryant, with whom she founded the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation in 2007. The couple had four children together.
Kobe Bryant was a controversial figure in the public eye, and his marriage to Vanessa was no exception. In 2003, Kobe admitted to cheating on his wife with multiple women during a sexual assault case. Despite this, Vanessa stayed in the marriage, and the couple appeared to be working through their issues. However, in 2020, Vanessa filed for divorce, citing infidelity as the reason. It was rumoured that Vanessa had learned of Kobe's affairs from other basketball wives, creating a scandal in the basketball world.
According to TMZ.com, other NBA players told their wives about Kobe's off-court activities, and these wives then informed Vanessa. This is a common occurrence in the basketball world, where players make their wives swear to secrecy before sharing sensitive information. However, this trust is often broken, as was the case with Kobe's infidelity. Sources close to the couple claimed that Vanessa had caught Kobe cheating "very recently" with multiple women.
While Vanessa has always maintained a discreet life, she could not escape the spotlight as the wife of an NBA icon. She faced intense media scrutiny and criticism throughout their marriage, including accusations of aloofness and rude behaviour. Despite this, Vanessa stood by her husband through his sexual assault charges and the subsequent civil lawsuit filed by the accuser. The couple endured negative headlines and public polarisation, with Vanessa being parodied on "Saturday Night Live" and dubbed "the new Yoko".
Following Kobe's tragic death in a helicopter crash in 2020, Vanessa changed the name of his Mamba Sports Foundation to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation in honour of their daughter, Gianna, who also passed away in the crash. She also launched a clothing line, Mambacita, with all proceeds going towards the foundation.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Vanessa Bryant is not on Basketball Wives. However, she is the widow of NBA star Kobe Bryant and the mother of his four daughters.
Vanessa and Kobe Bryant met on the set of the Tha Eastsidaz music video "G'd Up" in November 1999. She was working as a background dancer and he was working on a rap album. They were engaged six months later and married in April 2001.
Yes, Vanessa Bryant knew about Kobe Bryant's affairs. She reportedly heard about them from other basketball wives.
