Vanessa Laine Bryant – Biography, Facts About Kobe Bryant’s Wife

Quick Facts

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that you can’t talk about basketball without ’s name coming up somewhere in that conversation. He is one of the greatest players in the sport and one of the finest athletes in the entire world. Every single detail of his life is of great public interest and so is his relationship with Vanessa Laine Bryant.

The gorgeous Latina woman was a former video vixen and model who catapulted to fame after she began dating the NBA superstar. Although most people fare badly with suddenly becoming a celebrity overnight in their teenage years, Vanessa has handled the transition brilliantly, and she has never once let the popularity get to her head.

If anything, Vanessa has been the backbone of her husband’s career, standing proudly beside him through ups and downs, and smoothing out all the troubles on the home front. She is excellent proof that behind every successful man there is indeed a woman. Vanessa has proved herself to be a loving and loyal partner to her superstar husband Kobe. She has also enjoyed a thriving career on television, appearing on shows like hit reality series Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

Vanessa Laine Bryant – Biography

Kobe’s wife was born Vanessa Cornejo Ubrieta on May 5, 1982. She was born to a Mexican-Irish mother named Sofia Ubrieta, and her mother raised her and her sister Sophie singlehandedly after their father walked out of his marriage and family when Vanessa was three years old. Vanessa later changed her surname to Laine, the last name of the man her mother remarried.

She was raised in Orange County, California, and completed her basic education at St. Boniface Parochial School, before moving on to Marina High School, where she finished with honors. Vanessa Laine Bryant was a very industrious teenager who worked as a model and video vixen in her free time to earn some money. It was during one of her gigs as a model in the background of a music video that she met Kobe Bryant, and their courtship began in earnest.

She was still in high school at the time, so news of their relationship rocked the media. Some news outlets went as far as stalking her school to get a glimpse of the high school senior who had stolen the heart of one of the Los Angeles Lakers’ point guard. As a result of the attention, Vanessa had to be homeschooled for the rest of the session.

Vanessa Laine Bryant gets tons of requests to appear on television for interviews, shows, award ceremonies, and all kinds of events. However, she has been featured in a number of shows including Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Kobe Bryant’s Muse, Teen Choice Awards 2003, and MTV Movie Awards.

Vanessa Laine Bryant met her husband-to-be in 1999, and less than a year after their paths crossed, Kobe Bryant and Vanessa were engaged. Despite the disapproval from several quarters including Bryant’s parents who were disappointed that he was settling down with a non-African-American woman, the resilient lovebirds tied the knot in a small ceremony held at St. Edward Roman Catholic Church, California on April 18, 2001. Their union has produced three beautiful daughters: Natalia Diamante born in 2003, Gianna Maria-Onore born in 2006, and Bianca Bella born in 2016. The couple also has a fourth child on the way.

Facts About Kobe Bryant’s Wife

1. Vanessa Didn’t Abandon Kobe When He Was Accused of Sexual Assault

In 2003, Kobe’s career and personal life were ripped open when he was accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old girl. He denied the charges, claiming that the sexual relations were mutual and the only wrong he committed was cheating on his wife, whom he begged to forgive him. Vanessa stood by him through the scandal and after the case was dropped, he bought her a diamond ring worth millions of dollars as a peace offering.

2. She Has Lived Through the Pain of A Miscarriage

Vanessa Laine Bryant was expecting her second child sometime in 2005, but she lost the pregnancy because she was under a lot of stress. Kobe has stated that he blames himself for what she had to go through and that she lost the baby because of him and the worries that followed his scandal.

3. Vanessa Laine Bryant Is a Very Hands-On Mom

Even though she can afford to hire loads of nannies, Vanessa prefers to raise her children by herself. She believes in not getting outside assistance to help her take care of her own children. It’s hard not to admire her strength and courage.

4. She Almost Divorced Kobe in 2011

Vanessa and Kobe’s marriage was tested in 2011 after she filed for divorce claiming irreconcilable differences. The couple had been growing through some difficult times and she thought it was better to end it before things got really ugly. They signed the divorce papers and everything, but love won. They decided to stay together and try to make things work.

Also Read: Top 10 Richest People in the world with full biography and details.