History of Vanessa Bryant in Timeline

Vanessa Bryant is an American businesswoman, philanthropist, and the widow of basketball legend Kobe Bryant. She co-founded the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation in 2007, providing scholarships to minority college students. After the tragic loss of her husband and daughter Gianna in a 2020 helicopter crash, Bryant now leads the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, dedicated to supporting young athletes. She also pursued legal action against Los Angeles County following the crash, which was settled in 2023.

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.

1990: Mother's Remarriage

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

August 1999: Music Video Extra Work

In August 1999, Vanessa Bryant began working as a music video extra and backup dancer after being approached at a hip-hop concert.

November 1999: Meeting Kobe Bryant

In November 1999, 17-year-old Vanessa Bryant met Kobe Bryant while working as a background dancer for Tha Eastsidaz's rap music video "G'd Up".

Loading Video...

2000: Graduation and Parents' Bankruptcy

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

2000: Name Change

In 2000, Vanessa legally changed her name to Vanessa Marie Laine.

April 18, 2001: Marriage to Kobe Bryant

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

2002: Parents' Divorce

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

January 2003: Birth of Natalia Diamante Bryant

In January 2003, Vanessa and Kobe Bryant welcomed their first child, Natalia Diamante.

2003: Kobe Bryant's Adultery Admission

In 2003, Kobe Bryant admitted to cheating on Vanessa with multiple women during his sexual assault case.

2004: Karl Malone Controversy

In 2004, Vanessa Bryant accused Lakers player Karl Malone of acting inappropriately towards her, resulting in media attention and a Saturday Night Live parody.

May 2006: Birth of Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant

In May 2006, Vanessa and Kobe Bryant's daughter, Gianna "Gigi" Maria-Onore, was born.

2007: Housekeeper Employment Start

In 2007, Maria Jimenez began working as a housekeeper at the Bryants' Newport Coast home.

2007: Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation Founded

In 2007, Vanessa and Kobe Bryant established the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation to offer scholarships to minority college students on a global scale.

2007: Foundation of the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation

In 2007, Vanessa and Kobe Bryant established the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation, formerly the VIVO Foundation, to promote a global perspective among young people and offer scholarships to minority college students.

2008: Housekeeper Employment End

In 2008, Maria Jimenez worked as a housekeeper at the Bryants' Newport Coast home.

2009: Housekeeper Lawsuit

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

2010: Protest Against Arizona SB 1070 Immigration Law

In 2010, Vanessa Bryant wore a t-shirt with the phrase "Do I Look Illegal?" at a Lakers game to protest the Arizona SB 1070 Immigration Law.

2010: Settlement of Housekeeper Lawsuit

In 2010, the Bryants settled the lawsuit filed by their 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: Gold Digger Backlash

In 2012, Vanessa Bryant faced public backlash and was labeled a gold digger after a New York Magazine interview where she discussed the importance of winning championships.

December 2016: Birth of Bianka Bella Bryant

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

2016: Description as a Polarizing Public Figure

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

June 2019: Birth of Capri Kobe Bryant

In June 2019, Vanessa and Kobe Bryant welcomed their fourth daughter, Capri Kobe.

January 2020: Death of Gianna Bryant

In January 2020, Vanessa Bryant's daughter Gianna "Gigi" Maria-Onore passed away.

January 26, 2020: Death of Kobe and Gianna Bryant

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

December 2020: Lawsuit by Mother

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

2020: Renaming of the Mamba Sports Foundation

In 2020, Vanessa Bryant renamed her husband's Mamba Sports Foundation to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation to honor her daughter.

May 2021: Launch of Mambacita Clothing Line

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

November 2021: Baby2Baby Gala Philanthropy Award

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

2021: Settlement of Lawsuit by Mother

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

August 2022: Verdict in Lawsuit Against Los Angeles County

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

February 2023: Settlement with Los Angeles County

In February 2023, Los Angeles County settled the case with Vanessa Bryant and her daughters for $28.85 million, including the previous award and additional funds for potential claims.

2023: Settlement with Los Angeles County

In 2023, Vanessa Bryant reached a settlement in her lawsuit against Los Angeles County following the unauthorized sharing of photos from the 2020 helicopter crash site.