Biography - Vanessa Laine Bryant

Who is Vanessa Laine Bryant?

Vanessa Laine Bryant is a model by profession and American by nationality. She is the widow of former NBA star Kobe Bryant and the mother of his children. They were married until his death in January 2020.

Vanessa Laine Bryant – Bio, Age, Parents, Siblings

Vanessa Laine Bryant’s birth took place on May 5, 1982, in California, USA. She was born Vanessa Cornejo Urbieta to her mother Sofia Laine while the name of her biological father is not shared. Her parents had divorced when she was just 3 years old. She also has a sibling, an older sister named Sophie.

Vanessa Laine Bryant took her step-father Stephen Laine’s last name Laine even though he never legally adopted her.

Education, Ethnicity

For education she attended Marina High School and finished high school through independent study, to avoid media publicity amid her marriage to Kobe Bryant at age 17. She graduated in 2000.

Her ethnicity is Mexican, Irish, English, and German. 

Vanessa Laine Bryant – Boyfriend, Husband, Children, Divorce

Vanessa Laine Bryant met NBA star Kobe Bryant when she was working as a background dancer on the Tha Eastsidaz music video "G'd Up". After just 6 months of dating, she and her boyfriend became engaged in May 2000.

The couple married on April 18, 2001, at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church without any prenuptial agreement. Kobe’s parents, siblings, teammates, and manager were not present at the wedding as they were against the union. She then legally changed her name to Vanessa Cornejo Ubrieta Marie Laine Bryant. Kobe Bryant was just 21 years old while Vanessa Laine Bryant was 17 years old when they married.

Also read: Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Welcome a Baby Girl, Capri Kobe

With her husband, she has four children- daughters Natalia Diamante (born January 19, 2003),  Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant  (May 1, 2006), Bianka Bella Bryant (December 5, 2016), Capri Kobe Bryant (born June 20, 2019).

In December 2011 Laine filed for divorce. However 2 years later, in January 2013, the couple announced via social media that they had called off their engagement.

Vanessa Laine Bryant – Husband, Daughter’s death

On January 26, 2020, Kobe Bryant and his teenage daughter Gianna died in a helicopter accident in Calabasas, California Calabasas, California. Seven others also were reported to be dead in the crash. The helicopter was en route to a basketball game and Kobe had been coaching his daughter Gianna’s team.

Vanessa Laine Bryant – Career

Prior to marrying Kobe, she was a varsity cheerleader at St. Boniface Parochial School. Vanessa Laine Bryant also worked as a model as well as a dancer. She has appeared in a music video for Tha Eastsidaz’s song G'd Up. Snoop Dogg, Tray Deee, and Goldie Loc are former members of Tha Eastsidaz.

Also read: Kobe Bryant and wife Vanessa never flew together on a helicopter

Vanessa Laine Bryant – Net Worth, Salary

Her net worth is estimated at around $600 million, mostly as the widow of NBA legend Kobe Bryant.

Vanessa Laine Bryant – Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

On social media handles, such as Instagram, Vanessa Laine Bryant is active with over 1.4 million followers but seems to be absent from Twitter, and Facebook.