Vanessa Bryant Biography: Vanessa Marie Bryant born May 5, 1982 is an American philanthropist and businesswoman. She is the widow of NBA star Kobe Bryant. Together, they co-founded the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation in 2007, an organization that offers scholarships to minority college students around the world. Vanessa also leads the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, which supports young athletes in need. On January 26, 2020, Kobe and their daughter Gianna tragically died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Following the incident, Vanessa filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County, which reached a settlement in 2023.
Vanessa Bryant Biography
Vanessa Marie Laine born Vanessa Urbieta Cornejo on May 5, 1982 is a native of Los Angeles, California, and was raised in Garden Grove by her mother, Sofia Laine (née Urbieta). She began her education at St. Boniface Parochial School in 1996, where she was a member of the varsity cheerleading team, before transferring to Marina High School.
Vanessa Bryant Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
Vanessa Urbieta Cornejo
May 5, 1982 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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|---|---|
| Other names | Vanessa Laine |
| Occupations |
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| Title |
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| Spouse |
Kobe Bryant
(m. 2001; died 2020) |
| Children | 4 (including Gianna) |
| Category | Business Man Biography |
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About Vanessa Bryant
Vanessa Marie Bryant is an American businesswoman and philanthropist. She is the widow of American professional basketball player Kobe Bryant. With her husband, she founded the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation in 2007 to provide scholarships to minority college students worldwide.
Vanessa Bryant Personal Life
She graduated with honors in 2000 and married Kobe Bryant a year later. Vanessa has appeared in several music videos for artists such as Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Pharrell Williams, and Snoop Dogg. On December 16, 2011, Vanessa filed for divorce from Kobe Bryant after ten years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences and requesting joint custody of their children. However, on January 11, 2013, the couple announced via social media that they had reconciled and called off the divorce.
Vanessa Bryant Wiki
- Born: 5 May 1982 (age 43 years), Los Angeles, California, United States
- Spouse: Kobe Bryant (m. 2001–2020)
- Children: Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant, Natalia Diamante Bryant
- Parents: Sofia Laine
- Education: Marina High School (2000)
- Height: 1.65 m
- Nationality: American
Early Life
Vanessa was born on May 5, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, to Mexican immigrant Sofia Urbieta. Her parents separated when she was three, and her father moved to Mexico; she remains estranged from him. Her mother, who worked as a shipping clerk at an electronics firm, later married a coworker, Stephen Laine, in 1990. Vanessa adopted Laine’s surname and officially became Vanessa Marie Laine in 2000, though she was never formally adopted by him. She has an older sister named Sophie.
Raised by her single mother, who held multiple jobs to support the family, Vanessa spent her early years living in a spare room at her aunt’s home. The family later moved to Garden Grove after her mother’s remarriage. She attended Marina High School in Huntington Beach. In August 1999, Vanessa and her friend Rowena Ireifej went to a hip-hop concert at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, where they were approached by a company offering work as extras and backup dancers in music videos.
Vanessa Bryant at a Glance
- Category: Richest Business › Producers
- Net Worth: $600 Million
- Birthdate: May 5, 1982 (43 years old)
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
Education
Born Vanessa Urbieta Cornejo on May 5, 1982, in Los Angeles, she is of Mexican descent and has an older sister named Sophie. After her parents divorced during her infancy, her mother later remarried Stephen Laine, and Vanessa began using the surname “Laine,” which she legally adopted in 2000. She was raised in Garden Grove and Huntington Beach, where she attended St. Boniface Parochial School and later Marina High School, graduating with honors in 2000.
Career Beginnings
In August 1999, Vanessa and a friend were discovered at a hip-hop concert and invited to appear as background dancers in music videos. She went on to work with artists like Snoop Dogg, Krayzie Bone, Tyrese Gibson, Pharrell Williams, and Ludacris. It was during the filming of Tha Eastsidaz’s “G’d Up” that she met Kobe Bryant. Vanessa was 17; Kobe was 21.
Marriage to Kobe Bryant
Vanessa and Kobe were engaged just six months after meeting and married on April 18, 2001, at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Dana Point, California. Vanessa was still in high school at the time. Due to her age and the couple’s quick engagement, Kobe’s parents, agent, and sisters did not attend the wedding, resulting in a two-year estrangement that ended after the birth of their first daughter. amid Kobe’s sexual assault case, Vanessa stood by him despite acknowledging his infidelity. Days later, Kobe gifted her an eight-carat purple diamond ring valued at $4 million.
In December 2011, Vanessa filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences. At the time, Kobe’s net worth was estimated at $200 million, and they had no prenuptial agreement. Notably, she filed shortly after their 10-year anniversary and Kobe’s $84 million contract extension, which would have ensured long-term spousal support under California law. However, in January 2013, they announced their reconciliation.
Philanthropy
Vanessa has been deeply involved in charitable work. In 2007, she and Kobe established the VIVO Foundation, later renamed the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation, to provide global educational opportunities for minority students. They were also founding donors of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.
Individually, Vanessa has worked with Baby2Baby, supporting low-income women and children. She was honored with the organization’s philanthropy award in 2021. She also continues to champion youth sports through the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, launching a clothing line in Gianna’s memory.
Granity Studios
As CEO of Granity Studios, Vanessa oversees the company Kobe founded in 2013 to produce storytelling content centered on sports and youth. The studio produced the 2017 Academy Award-winning short film Dear Basketball and published Kobe’s young adult book series, including The Wizenard and Epoca.
Tragedy and Legal Action
On January 26, 2020, Kobe and their daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. In the aftermath, Vanessa filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County for invasion of privacy and negligence over unauthorized crash site photos shared by first responders.
In August 2022, a jury awarded Vanessa $16 million in damages. The case was later settled in February 2023 for a total of $28.85 million, which included $13.5 million from the county on top of the initial jury award. Vanessa announced that she would donate the proceeds to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation. However, a significant portion of the settlement is subject to taxes—roughly 37% to the IRS and 13.3% to the state of California—as lawsuit payouts are considered taxable income.
What is Vanessa Bryant’s Net Worth 2025?
Vanessa Bryant is an American philanthropist and the widow of NBA legend Kobe Bryant. Her estimated net worth is $600 million. In 2007, she and Kobe launched a foundation aimed at providing scholarships to minority college students around the world. Vanessa also heads the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, which supports young athletes, and she serves as the president and CEO of Granity Studios, a multimedia company founded by Kobe. Vanessa met Kobe Bryant in 1999 while working as a background dancer in a music video. She was 17 at the time, and Kobe, then 21, was at the same studio working on his debut rap album.
FAQs
How did Vanessa Bryant meet Kobe Bryant?
Vanessa met Kobe Bryant in 1999 when she was working as a background dancer on the set of a music video. Kobe was at the same location working on his debut music album. They became engaged just six months later.
Why did Kobe Bryant’s parents not attend his wedding?
Kobe’s parents, his agent, and his sisters did not attend his wedding to Vanessa because they disapproved of the relationship, largely due to her young age and the couple’s quick engagement. The rift led to a two-year period of estrangement.
What does Vanessa Bryant do now?
Vanessa Bryant is active in philanthropy and business. She leads the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, supports causes like Baby2Baby, and serves as president and CEO of Granity Studios, a multimedia company founded by Kobe.
What happened with Vanessa Bryant’s lawsuit against Los Angeles County?
Vanessa filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County after unauthorized photos of the helicopter crash site that killed Kobe and Gianna were shared. In 2022, she was awarded $16 million in damages, and in 2023, the case was settled for a total of $28.85 million.
Did Vanessa Bryant finish high school?
Yes, Vanessa Bryant completed high school through independent study after media attention surrounding her relationship with Kobe disrupted her education. She graduated with honors from Marina High School in 2000.
What is Granity Studios and what is Vanessa Bryant’s role?
Granity Studios is a multimedia company founded by Kobe Bryant to tell stories focused on sports and youth. Vanessa Bryant currently serves as its president and CEO, overseeing projects like the Oscar-winning short Dear Basketball and several young adult book series.