Los Angeles, CA, Vanessa is estranged from her biological father.
Highlights
- Vanessa’s mother, Sofia Urbieta Laine, raised Vanessa and her older sister, Sophie, as a single mother after divorcing Vanessa’s biological father when she was a baby.
- In 1990, Sofia married Stephen Laine, a middle manager at the electronics company where she worked. Vanessa took his surname, becoming Vanessa Laine. However, the marriage ended in divorce in 2002.
- In December 2020, Sofia filed a lawsuit against Vanessa, claiming she had worked as an unpaid personal assistant and nanny for nearly two decades.
Vanessa Bryant, the widow of the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, was born Vanessa Urbieta Cornejo on May 5, 1982, in Los Angeles, California.
Her mother, Sofia Urbieta Laine, raised her and her older sister, Sophie Laine, as a single mother after divorcing her biological father when she was a baby.
Vanessa’s biological father moved to Mexico, and she is estranged from him.
Sofia immigrated from Mexico to the United States a few years before giving birth to Vanessa and worked as a shipping clerk at an electronics company.
In 1990, when Vanessa was 8-year-old, Sofia married Stephen Laine, a middle manager at the same company, and Vanessa took his surname, becoming Vanessa Laine.
This marriage provided some financial stability for the family, although Stephen did not legally adopt Sofia’s daughter. The marriage ended in divorce in 2002.
Despite the challenges of her parents’ separation, Vanessa maintained a close bond with her mother for most of her life as a high-profile WAG, with Sofia maintaining a close relationship with her daughter’s family.
However, in the fallout of the tragic death of Kobe Bryant on January 26, 2020, their relationship began forming cracks.
Sofia Filed A Lawsuit Against Her Daughter In December 2020
In December 2020, Sofia Laine filed a lawsuit against her daughter, alleging that she had worked as an unpaid personal assistant and nanny for nearly two decades.
Laine claimed that Kobe Bryant had promised to support her financially for life and that after his death, Vanessa had taken actions to cut off this support, including forcing her out of the family home.
What Vanessa Bryant’s mom is doing to her and her daughters in the worst year of their life is so repulsive. pic.twitter.com/NUgbdPfMZV
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) December 17, 2020
Vanessa publicly refuted these allegations, describing the lawsuit as “disgraceful” and asserting that her mother was attempting to extort a financial windfall from their family during a time of profound grief.
The legal battle attracted significant media attention, highlighting the personal challenges Vanessa faced in the aftermath of her husband’s and daughter’s tragic deaths.
In August 2021, the lawsuit was settled confidentially, ending the public dispute.
Vanessa And Kobe Bryant Met In 1999
Vanessa met Kobe Bryant in November 1999 during a music video shoot where she was working as a background model.
At the time, Vanessa was a 17-year-old high school senior, and Kobe was a 21-year-old rising star with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Their relationship progressed swiftly; they became engaged six months later and married on April 18, 2001.
Their wedding faced familial challenges, notably the absence of Kobe’s parents, who initially disapproved of the union.
Kobe And Vanessa Had Four Daughters
The couple welcomed their first daughter, Natalia Diamante, in January 2003, followed by Gianna Maria-Onore in May 2006.
They later had two more daughters, Bianka Bella in December 2016 and Capri Kobe in June 2019.
Vanessa and Kobe’s relationship endured public scrutiny and personal challenges, including a brief period in 2011 when Vanessa filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
However, by 2013, they had reconciled and announced the dismissal of the divorce proceedings.
Kobe And Gianna Lost Their Life In January 2020
Tragedy struck in January 2020 when Kobe and their daughter Gianna, along with seven others, died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.
Naturally, Vanessa’s public response was one of profound grief and strength.
Vanessa Bryant speaks on the deaths of Kobe and Gianna
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 30, 2020
"…it's impossible to imagine life without them. But we wake up each day, trying to keep pushing because Kobe, and our baby girl, Gigi, are shining on us to light the way." pic.twitter.com/gHdVJZ7AlS
She expressed her sorrow and gratitude for the public’s support through social media and delivered a heartfelt eulogy at the memorial service held on February 24, 2020, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
She quoted,
Kobe was known as a fierce competitor on the basketball court. The greatest of all time, a writer, an Oscar winner and the Black Mamba. But to me he was KobKob, my Boo-Boo, my Bae-Boo, my papi chulo. I was his VeBe, his Principessa, his Reina, Queen Mama – Mamba. I couldn’t see him as a celebrity nor just an incredible basketball player. He was my sweet husband and the beautiful father of my children. He was mine. He was my everything.
theshaderoom.com
Vanessa Is Actively Involved In Keeping Kobe’s Legacy Alive
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Vanessa took on the role of president of Granity Studios, Kobe’s multimedia company.
She has continued her involvement with the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, which supports youth sports and underserved athletes.
The studio continues to produce content aimed at young athletes and sports enthusiasts, with several new book projects scheduled for release in 2025.
She has also been active in legal matters concerning the crash, including a lawsuit against the helicopter company and Los Angeles County over sharing crash site photos.
JUST IN: Vanessa Bryant awarded $29 million settlement in Lawsuit against LA County over helicopter crash photos. pic.twitter.com/soKuq7yNR6
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) March 1, 2023
Today, Vanessa remains focused on raising her three daughters and preserving the legacy of her late husband and daughter through various philanthropic efforts.
Her eldest daughter, Natalia, is pursuing a career in modeling and attends the University of Southern California.
Vanessa is also raising her younger daughters, Bianka and Capri, and often shares their activities supporting Los Angeles sports teams.
Additional Information
- Vanessa has grown her influence in fashion and business through strategic partnerships. A recent collaboration with Nike to continue the Kobe Bryant line resulted in successful product launches, with proceeds supporting youth sports initiatives.
- Vanessa continues to make public appearances at events such as the Baby2Baby Gala, where she supports nonprofit organizations that provide essential items to impoverished children.
