Jump to content

Vanessa Bryant

Page semi-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vanessa Bryant
Bryant in 2010
Born
Vanessa Cornejo Urbieta

(1982-05-05)May 5, 1982(age 42)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other namesVanessa Laine
Occupations
  • Philanthropist
  • business executive
  • model
Title
Spouse
​
​
(m.2001;died2020)​
Children4; includingGianna

Vanessa Marie Bryant(born May 5, 1982) is an American businesswoman,philanthropist,and model. She is the widow of American professionalbasketballplayerKobe Bryant.With her husband, she founded the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation in 2007 to provide scholarships to minority college students worldwide. Bryant leads the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting child athletes who are in need.

Early life

Bryant was born on May 5, 1982, inLos Angeles,California.[1]Her mother immigrated from Mexico.[2]Her parents divorced when she was a baby. After her parents' divorce, her biological father moved toBaja California.She has an older sister, Sophie.[3]Her mother was a shipping clerk at an electronics company. In 1990, her mother married Stephen Laine, who was a middle manager at the same electronics company that she worked in.[1]She began going by Laine after the marriage and officially changed her name to Vanessa Marie Laine in 2000, despite never officially being adopted by her step-father.[1][4]

Her family's home was inGarden Grove, California,and she resided with her step-grandfather Robert Laine inHuntington Beach, California.She attendedMarina High School.[1][5][6]

In August 1999, Bryant and her friend Rowena Ireifej attended a hip-hop concert at theIrvine Meadows Amphitheatre.They were approached by a company and offered work as music video extras and backup dancers. Bryant later appeared in music videos for artists includingKrayzie BoneandSnoop Dogg.[1]Her mother chaperoned her on the shoots.[7][1]In November 1999, Bryant met her future husbandKobe Bryanton the set of a music video for a rap song he was releasing. The interaction was captured on camera and, years later, the short clip was included in Kobe Bryant's 2015 Showtime documentaryMuse.

Their high-profile relationship caused disruptions at her high school, leading Bryant to complete her senior year at home as anindependent study.[1][5]She graduated from high school in 2000 with honors.[3]

Career and philanthropy

The Bryants andEric Garcettiin 2016

In 2007, Bryant and her husband founded the VIVO Foundation which was later renamed the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation. It is a charity that supports increasing a global perspective among young people. It provides scholarships for minority college students and other youth worldwide. The charity has collaborated with theMake-A-Wish Foundation.[8]

Bryant and her husband were founding donors of theNational Museum of African American History and Culture.[9]

In 2020, following the death ofher husband and second-oldest daughter,Bryant changed the name of her husband's Mamba Sports Foundation to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation in honor of her daughter.[10]It supports poor child athletes.[11]In May 2021, Bryant launched a Mambacita line of clothing in honor of her daughterGianna.The line is in partnership with a female-owned brand, Dannijo and all proceeds go towards the Mambacita Sports Foundation.[12]

Bryant was the president and chief executive officer ofGranity Studios.[13]

Bryant worked withBaby2Babyto provide support for women and children in poverty. At the Baby2Baby 10-year gala in November 2021, she received a philanthropy award.[14]

Marriage and children

The Bryants and former U.S. presidentBarack Obama,in theOval Officein 2010

Six months after meeting, Laine and Kobe Bryant were engaged. Herengagement ringincluded a seven-carat diamond.[5][15]They married on April 18, 2001.[4]The private wedding ceremony was attended by approximately twelve people and was held at the St. Edward Roman Catholic Church inDana Point, California.[16][17]After the marriage, she took his last name, becoming Vanessa Marie Bryant.[18]

They had four children: Natalia Diamante (born January 2003),[7]Gianna "Gigi" Maria-Onore(May 2006 - January 2020),[19]Bianka Bella (born December 2016),[20][21][22]and Capri Kobe (born June 2019).[23][24]

During the 2003sexual assault case against her husband,Bryant defended him, stating: "I know my husband made the mistake ofadultery".[25]A few days later, she received a $4 million eight-carat purple diamond ring leading to speculation that this was a gift for her support.[4]According to David K. Wiggins, a professor ofsport studies,her husband had commissioned the ring two months prior.[26]Kobe Bryant later said that he felt guilt about amiscarriagehis wife had suffered in early 2005, attributing it to the rape allegations.[27]

Bryant had a strong influence on her husband. She was the focus of speculation by tabloids.[1]In 2004, Bryant accusedLakersplayerKarl Maloneof acting inappropriately towards her. Malone later apologized while denying making a pass at her.[7]Sports Illustratedpublished a story titled Vanessa-gate about "wife-poaching" by Malone.[1]Other columnists described Bryant as the newYoko Ono,and she was the subject of aSaturday Night Liveparody.[7]She was recognized by supporters for challenging theNational Basketball Associationculture of tolerance oftomcatting.[1]

In 2009, Bryant's housekeeper Maria Jimenez sued the Bryants. Jimenez alleged that Vanessa Bryant verbally abused and humiliated her while she worked at theirNewport Coasthome from September 2007 to March 2008. The Bryants denied those allegations and counter-sued Jimenez, alleging that she breached aconfidentiality agreement.[7]Bryant settled the suit in 2010, paying an undisclosed amount to Jimenez.[28]

In December 2011, Vanessa filed for divorce from Kobe, citingirreconcilable differences[25]and sparked speculation about the possible distribution of assets in a divorce.[29]Thirteen months later, the Bryants called off the divorce.[30]In April 2016, David Wharton and Nathan Fenno of theLos Angeles Timesdescribed Bryant as a contradictory and "at times polarizingpublic figure".[7]

2020 helicopter crash and subsequent litigation

On January 26, 2020, Bryant's husband and their daughter Gigi died in theCalabasas helicopter crash.She suedLos Angeles Countyfor invasion of privacy and negligence after employees of theSheriff's OfficeandFire Departmenttook photos of the victims of the crash and improperly shared them.[31]The case went to trial and, in August 2022, she was awarded $16 million in damages.[32]In February 2023, the county settled the case with Bryant and her daughters, with the county agreeing to pay $28.85 million (including the approximate $15 million awarded to her in the previous year and additional funds to settle potential claims from her daughters).[33]Vanessa Bryant said she would donate the lawsuit proceeds to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.[34]

References

  1. ^abcdefghijHubler, Shawn (March 5, 2005)."Vanessa Laine was just another sheltered Orange County teen - Then she fell in love with a phenomenon".Daily Press.Retrieved2022-02-12.
  2. ^Trujillo, Brianna (2020-05-10)."The Feeling's Mutual: Kobe Bryant's Appreciation for His Hispanic Fans".NBC Los Angeles.RetrievedFebruary 26,2024."In 2001, he married Vanessa Laine, whose mother was an immigrant from Mexico. He had his first of four daughters in 2003, and never forgot their Hispanic roots".
  3. ^abSilas, Karen (February 28, 2020)."Kobe Bryant's wife Vanessa Bryant's background - everything you need to know".HOLA.Retrieved2022-02-12.
  4. ^abcHarris, Beth (2003-08-05)."Brant and wife remain close".The Springfield News-Leader.p. 29.Retrieved2022-02-12.
  5. ^abcGold, Scott (2000-05-20)."Laker's Marriage Plans Are the Talk of His Fiancee's High School".The Los Angeles Times.p. 23.Retrieved2022-02-12.
  6. ^Lynch, Renee (2000-05-20)."Kobe: Fame Descends on Marina High School".The Los Angeles Times.p. 217.Retrieved2022-02-12.
  7. ^abcdefWharton, David; Fenno, Nathan (2016-04-17)."Much like her husband Kobe, Vanessa Bryant has been a contradictory, at times polarizing public figure".Los Angeles Times.Retrieved2022-02-12.
  8. ^Schultz, Kyley (January 26, 2020)."Here's how you can donate to the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation".WUSA9.Retrieved2022-02-13.
  9. ^"Statement on the Death of Basketball Icon and Museum Founding Donor Kobe Bryant".National Museum of African American History and Culture.January 28, 2020.
  10. ^Gardner, Steve."Kobe Bryant's Mamba Sports Foundation adds 'Mambacita' to name in honor of daughter Gianna".USA TODAY.Retrieved2022-02-13.
  11. ^"Vanessa Bryant to receive honor for leadership".ESPN.2022-02-01.Retrieved2022-02-12.
  12. ^Maiysha, Kai (May 3, 2021)."Following Split With Nike, Vanessa Bryant Honors Gianna's 15th Birthday With Philanthropic 'Mambacita' Line".The Root.Retrieved2022-02-12.
  13. ^"Vanessa Bryant 'Extremely Thankful' for Friends Who Have Helped Her Cope With Kobe and Gianna's Deaths".KVUE.January 25, 2021.Retrieved2022-02-13.
  14. ^Rodriquez-Jimenez, Jorge (2021-11-15)."Vanessa Bryant Remembers Kobe's Commitment to Philanthropy While Accepting Award".Remezcla.Retrieved2022-02-12.
  15. ^DiFilippo, Dana (2001-04-23)."Kobe's mystery marriage".Philadelphia Daily News.p. 5.Retrieved2022-02-12.
  16. ^Lelyveld, Nita (2001-04-26)."Superstar Kobe says 'I do' and little else".The Philadelphia Inquirer.p. 39.Retrieved2022-02-12.
  17. ^"Reports: Kobe Bryant gets married".Tulare Advance-Register.Los Angeles. 2001-04-22. p. 17.Retrieved2022-02-12.
  18. ^"Vanessa Bryant - La biographie de Vanessa Bryant avec Gala.fr".Gala.fr(in French). 31 March 2020.Retrieved2022-02-12.
  19. ^"Shaq is a Dad Six Minutes After Kobe".Contact Music.May 2, 2006.RetrievedMay 25,2007.
  20. ^Drysdale, Jennifer (December 8, 2016)."Kobe Bryant and Wife Vanessa Welcome Third Child".Yahoo!.
  21. ^Harris, Sarah Jane (December 8, 2016)."Kobe Bryant welcomes his third child".sportingnews.com.Archived fromthe originalon June 26, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 12,2022.
  22. ^Muhammad, Latifah (December 21, 2016)."Kobe Bryant Shares Adorable First Pic of Newborn Daughter Bianka".Entertainment Tonight.Retrieved2024-02-27.
  23. ^Adams, Char (July 4, 2019)."Meet Baby 'KoKo!' Kobe Bryant Officially Introduces His 'Little Princess' — Daughter Capri Kobe".People.
  24. ^"Kobe Bryant's Wife Vanessa Gives Birth, Welcomes Fourth Daughter".Us Weekly.June 21, 2019.
  25. ^ab"Tears for Kobe: Wife files for divorce".Visalia Times-Delta.Associated Press.2011-12-17. p. 11.Retrieved2022-02-12.
  26. ^Wiggins, David K. (June 2021). "Kobe Bryant's Second Act: a Brief but Beautiful Post-basketball Life".Journal of African American Studies.25(2): 265–284.doi:10.1007/s12111-021-09541-7.ISSN1559-1646.S2CID237931985.
  27. ^"Kobe Bryant carries guilt over wife's miscarriage, blames rape allegations: 'The reality is it happened because of me'".New York Daily News.3 March 2015.Retrieved2 March2022.
  28. ^Srisavasdi, Rachanee (2010-05-26)."Kobe Bryant settles lawsuit brought by ex-maid".Orange County Register.Retrieved2024-02-27.
  29. ^Rojas, Rick; Winton, Richard (2011-12-20)."Bryant's wife stands to receive a windfall".The Sacramento Bee.pp. C3.Retrieved2022-02-12.
  30. ^"Kobe, Vanessa Bryant call off divorce".The Fresno Bee.Los Angeles. 2013-01-16. pp. VB4.Retrieved2022-02-12.
  31. ^Schrotenboer, Brent (2022-01-05)."Kobe Bryant's widow wins key court ruling in lawsuit over photos of human remains from helicopter crash".USA Today.Retrieved2022-02-13.
  32. ^Lozano, Alicia Victoria (25 August 2022)."Vanessa Bryant awarded $16 million in Kobe Bryant crash photos trial".NBC News.Retrieved2022-08-25.
  33. ^Abrams, Jonathan (March 2023)."Vanessa Bryant Settles Helicopter Crash Photos Lawsuit for $28.85 Million".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 1,2023.
  34. ^Tchekmediyan, Alene (2022-08-25)."Vanessa Bryant plans to give verdict proceeds to Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation".Los Angeles Times.Retrieved2022-10-24.
Wikimedia Commons has media related toVanessa Bryant.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vanessa_Bryant&oldid=1256832311"