History of Vanessa Bryant in Timeline

Vanessa Bryant, a Mexican-American businesswoman and philanthropist, is the widow of basketball legend Kobe Bryant. Together, they established the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation in 2007, offering scholarships to minority college students. She currently heads the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, which supports child athletes. After Kobe and their daughter Gianna tragically died in a helicopter crash in 2020, Vanessa filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County, reaching a settlement in 2023. Her efforts focus on honoring her late husband and daughter while continuing their philanthropic legacy.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Controversies & Scandals

May 5, 1982: Vanessa Bryant's Birth

On May 5, 1982, Vanessa Marie Bryant, born Vanessa Urbieta Cornejo, was born in Los Angeles, California.

1990: Mother's Remarriage

In 1990, Vanessa Bryant's mother married her coworker, Stephen Laine.

August 1999: Became Music Video Extra

In August 1999, Vanessa Bryant began working as a music video extra and backup dancer.

November 1999: Meeting Kobe Bryant and Beginning of Relationship

In November 1999, 17-year-old Vanessa Bryant met Kobe Bryant on the set of a music video. Six months after meeting, they were engaged.

November 1999: Meeting Kobe Bryant

In November 1999, Vanessa Bryant met Kobe Bryant on the set of Tha Eastsidaz rap music video "G'd Up" where she was working as a background dancer and he was working on a rap album.

Loading Video...

2000: Graduation and Family Bankruptcy

In 2000, Vanessa Bryant graduated after completing her senior year at home, and her mother and stepfather filed for bankruptcy.

2000: Name Change

In 2000, Vanessa Bryant officially changed her name to Vanessa Marie Laine.

April 18, 2001: Marriage to Kobe Bryant

On April 18, 2001, Vanessa Bryant married Kobe Bryant in a small ceremony in Dana Point, California.

2002: Parents' Divorce

In 2002, Vanessa Bryant's mother and stepfather divorced.

January 2003: Birth of Natalia Diamante Bryant

In January 2003, Vanessa and Kobe Bryant's first child, Natalia Diamante, was born.

2003: Kobe Bryant's Adultery Admission

In 2003, during Kobe Bryant's sexual assault case, he admitted to cheating on Vanessa Bryant with multiple women, leading to public attention and a gift of a diamond ring.

2004: Accusation Against Karl Malone

In 2004, Vanessa Bryant accused Lakers player Karl Malone of acting inappropriately towards her, leading to controversy and media attention.

May 1, 2006: Birth of Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant

On May 1, 2006, Vanessa and Kobe Bryant's second child, Gianna Maria-Onore, was born.

2007: Housekeeper Employment Start

In 2007, Maria Jimenez began working as Vanessa Bryant's housekeeper at their Newport Coast home.

2007: Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation Founded

In 2007, Vanessa Bryant and her husband founded the VIVO Foundation, 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, collaborating with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

2007: Founding of the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation

In 2007, Vanessa Bryant and her husband, Kobe Bryant, founded the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation to provide scholarships to minority college students worldwide.

2008: Housekeeper Employment End

In 2008, Maria Jimenez ended working as Vanessa Bryant's housekeeper at their Newport Coast home.

2009: Lawsuit by Housekeeper Maria Jimenez

In 2009, Vanessa Bryant was sued by her former housekeeper, Maria Jimenez, for alleged harassment and mistreatment.

2010: Protest Against Arizona SB 1070 Immigration Law

During a Lakers game in 2010, Vanessa Bryant protested against the Arizona SB 1070 Immigration Law by wearing a t-shirt that read "Do I Look Illegal?".

2010: Settlement of Housekeeper Lawsuit

In 2010, Vanessa Bryant settled the lawsuit with her former housekeeper, Maria Jimenez, for an undisclosed amount.

December 2011: Filing for Divorce

In December 2011, Vanessa Bryant filed for divorce from Kobe Bryant, citing irreconcilable differences.

2012: Backlash Over Championship Comments

In 2012, Vanessa Bryant faced public backlash for comments made in a New York Magazine interview regarding the importance of winning championships in her marriage.

December 2016: Birth of Bianka Bella Bryant

In December 2016, Vanessa and Kobe Bryant's third child, Bianka Bella, was born.

2016: Described as Polarizing Figure

In 2016, Vanessa Bryant was described as a contradictory and "at times polarizing public figure" by the Los Angeles Times.

June 2019: Birth of Capri Kobe Bryant

In June 2019, Vanessa and Kobe Bryant's fourth child, Capri Kobe, was born.

January 26, 2020: Death of Kobe and Gianna Bryant

On January 26, 2020, Vanessa Bryant's husband, Kobe Bryant, and their daughter Gianna, tragically died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.

February 24, 2020: Lawsuit Against Pilot's Estate and Helicopter Company

On February 24, 2020, Vanessa Bryant sued the estate of the late pilot and the helicopter company, Island Express, following the death of her husband and daughter on January 26, 2020.

December 2020: Lawsuit Filed by Mother

In December 2020, Vanessa Bryant was sued by her mother, Sofia Urbieta Laine, for fraud and unpaid work as a personal assistant and nanny.

2020: Renaming of Mamba Sports Foundation

In 2020, following the death of Kobe and Gianna Bryant, Vanessa Bryant changed the name of the Mamba Sports Foundation to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation in honor of her daughter.

May 2021: Launch of Mambacita Clothing Line

In May 2021, Vanessa Bryant launched a Mambacita line of clothing in partnership with Dannijo. All proceeds go towards the Mambacita Sports Foundation.

November 2021: Receiving the Baby2Baby Philanthropy Award

In November 2021, Vanessa Bryant received a philanthropy award at the Baby2Baby 10-year gala for her support for women and children in poverty.

2021: Settlement of Mother's Lawsuit

In 2021, Vanessa Bryant settled the lawsuit filed against her by her mother, Sofia Urbieta Laine.

August 2022: Awarded Damages in Lawsuit Against Los Angeles County

In August 2022, Vanessa Bryant was awarded $16 million in damages in her lawsuit against Los Angeles County for the improper sharing of photos from the helicopter crash site on January 26, 2020.

February 2023: Settlement with Los Angeles County

In February 2023, Los Angeles County settled the case with Vanessa Bryant and her daughters, agreeing to pay $28.85 million related to the January 26, 2020, helicopter crash photos; she stated that she would donate the settlement proceeds to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.

2023: Settlement of Lawsuit Against Los Angeles County

In 2023, Vanessa Bryant settled her lawsuit against Los Angeles County, which stemmed from the improper sharing of photos from the helicopter crash site on January 26, 2020.