Vanessa and Kobe Bryant's love story is one for the books. The couple met when they were just teenagers and remained together until the basketball star died tragically in a helicopter crash in January 2020. Their 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was also on the helicopter on January 26 when it crashed, killing all nine on board. The couple shared four kids together, all girls: Natalia, Gianna, Bianka, and Capri.
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The NBA star married Vanessa in 2001, and aside from a brief separation in 2011, they remained together until his death. The couple seemed to have a beautiful family life, and after he retired from basketball in 2016, they were beginning a new phase in their lives together. He had more time to spend at home with his wife and their girls. Unfortunately, that time was cut short. Scroll through to see a timeline of Kobe and Vanessa's incredible love story.
They met in 1999.
"This pic is the day I asked @ladyvb24 for her number 11/28/99. Thru the ups and downs she has been my love and best friend," Kobe captioned this pic. "20 and 17 yrs old when we met, we have actually grown up together. A true honor and a blessing."
They tied the knot in 2001.
They became Mr. and Mrs. on April 18, 2001, at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Dana Point, California. It was reported that his parents were opposed to him getting married because he was so young and because Vanessa was not African American. They did not attend his wedding.
They hit a major rough patch in 2003.
In 2003, the NBA player made headlines after being accused of sexually assaulting an employee at a Colorado hotel. Kobe admitted to having sex with 19-year-old Katelyn Faber but claimed it was consensual and not assault. The civil suit was settled outside of court, and Vanessa stuck by her man.
Somehow their relationship weathered the storm.
After accepting her husband's infamous forgiveness ring, worth $4 million, in 2003, the couple seemed to be on better terms. He also publicly apologized to her. "I sit here in front of you guys furious at myself, disgusted at myself for making the mistake of adultery,” he said during a press conference with Vanessa by his side. “I love my wife with all my heart. She’s my backbone.” The charges were later dropped.
They announced they were having another child in 2006.
In 2005, Vanessa miscarried after having an ectopic pregnancy. Then in 2006, Vanessa confirmed they were expecting their second daughter, Gianna. Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant was born in May 2006.
The couple had plenty to celebrate in 2008.
By 2008, Bryant had won five NBA championships and the title of MVP. He was at the height of his career, and his marriage seemed just fine—or at least that's how it seemed from the outside looking in.
Vanessa filed for divorce in 2011.
Vanessa filed for divorce from the Lakers star after 10 years of marriage. Reportedly, he was having affairs with multiple women, and she was done for good. She cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for filing the divorce and was asking for custody of their two daughters.
They reconciled in 2013.
The divorce was called off! In 2013, Vanessa wrote on her Instagram page, which is now private, "We are pleased to announce that we have reconciled. Our divorce action will be dismissed. We are looking forward to our future together," she wrote.
They took an anniversary trip to Europe in 2015.
"Amazing 14yr Anniversary Week in Italy and France con mi Reina @vanessabryant #already #home #life #muse #14," Kobe captioned a video he shared of their time in Europe. They certainly seemed to be very happy and very in love.
2016 was a big year for them.
In 2016, the couple commemorated two major milestones. Kobe wrote, "Just finished celebrating my 20 year career. It's a blessing to now celebrate 15 years of marriage today!" Both very big accomplishments indeed.
The couple announced their baby news in 2016.
The Bryants confirmed that they were expecting their third daughter. He wrote, "Beyond blessed and excited to share that we are expecting our third baby girl!!!" Bianka Bella Bryant was born on December 5, 2016.
Bianka looked like a baby angel.
"@vanessabryant and I are beyond excited to welcome our newest baby girl, Bianka!! #BabyBlessing #SweetBaby #AnotherAngel ❤," he added. "Bianka Bella Bryant. December 5, 2016. 7 pounds 5 ounces 20 inches," Kobe shared on December 21, 2016.
Vanessa was by his side at the start of the second act of his career.
The couple attended many events together, and Vanessa was by his side as Kobe began his new roles after he retired from basketball. He may have retired from basketball, but he was very busy doing other things, like running a production company called Granity Studios.
Kobe became an Oscar winner!
The former Lakers star won for his animated short Dear Basketball in 2018, and his wife was by his side at the awards ceremony, beaming with pride. How could she not be proud? How many former professional basketball players go on to win an Oscar?
The family looked beautiful at Vanessa's baby shower.
Kobe shared this pic of his family in May 2019 to give his expectant wife a shout-out for Mother's Day. "Happy Mother’s Day @vanessabryant we love you and thank you for all that you do for our family. You are the foundation of all that we hold dear. I love you #mybaby #lioness #mamabear #queenmamba," he wrote.
Their fourth baby girl was born in 2019.
Kobe announced the arrival of their fourth bundle of joy in June 2019 with an adorable photo of their baby girl. "Our little princess Capri Kobe Bryant “KoKo” 6/20/19 ❤️," he captioned the post.
They celebrated their 18th anniversary in 2019.
"Happy 18th Wedding Anniversary baby! Ti Amo per Sempre ❤️," Kobe captioned this adorable photo of them in April 2019. Sadly, that would be the last wedding anniversary that he would get to celebrate during his life.
Kobe showed his wife a lot of love on her birthday.
"Happy Birthday to my beautiful baby @vanessabryant you are like fine wine baby ti amo per sempre #queenmamba #taurus," he captioned this sweet post in May 2019. He's not wrong; Vanessa seems to get lovelier every year.
They celebrated their 20 years of dating at Disney World!
"On this day 20 years ago I met my best friend, my Queen @vanessabryant I decided to take her on a date to Disneyland tonight to celebrate old school style (pre 4princesses) I love you my mamacita per sempre," he captioned this post on November 2019.
Their last family Christmas card was so sweet.
The family of six celebrated the holidays in 2019 with a gorgeous Christmas card. Such a beautiful family. No one could have ever predicted that it would be the last card the whole family of six would get to be in and send out.
Vanessa's beautiful birthday message to Kobe.
On August 23, 2020, Kobe would have been 42 years old. Vanessa marked the occasion by sharing a beautiful tribute to her deceased husband on Instagram:
To my baby~
Happy birthday. I love you and miss you more than I can ever explain. I wish you and Gigi were here to celebrate YOU! I wish I could make you your fav food or a birthday cake with my Gigi. I miss your big hugs, your kisses, your smile, your loud ass deep laugh. I miss teasing you, making you laugh and bursting your bubble. I miss you sitting on my lap like my big baby that you are. I think about your tenderness and patience all the time. I think about everything you would do in situations to help me deal with everything thrown my way. Thank you for growing up with me and teaching me how to be strong. How to try to see the best in people but cutout the bs. Your thoughtful gestures and the amazing way you made us all feel is extremely missed. I picture your smile and wide big welcoming hugs daily. God I miss you both so much. Our lives feel so empty without you and Gigi. I’ve been completely broken inside. As much as I want to cry, I put a smile on my face to make our daughters days shine a little brighter. I’m not the strong one, they are. They’re strong and resilient. I’m sure you’re proud of them. They put a smile on my face everyday. I wish I could wake up from this horrible nightmare. I wish I could surprise our girls and welcome you and Gigi home to us. I’m mad I didn’t go first. I always wanted to go first so that I selfishly didn’t have to feel this heartache. You were supposed to miss me. Gigi was supposed to be here with her sisters. It should’ve been me. There’s so much I wish I could tell you and show you and Gigi. So many things you would both be happy to see and be a part of. So many milestones for our girls. So many things you would be proud of. I’m so thankful I have pieces of heaven here on earth to wake up for- thanks to YOU. Thank you for loving me enough to last several lifetimes. In every lifetime I would choose YOU. Thank you for showing me what real love is. Thank YOU for everything. I know my Gigi is celebrating you like she always has on our special days. I miss my thoughtful princess so much! Natalia, Gianna, Bianka, Capri and I wish you a happy birthday my love. I love you for now, forever and for always.❤️#amoreterno 42
Vanessa shared what keeps her motivated now that Kobe is gone.
How do you go on after losing the love of your life and your child? "I guess the best way to describe it is that Kobe and Gigi motivate me to keep going," Vanessa told People in March 2021. "They inspire me to try harder and be better every day. Their love is unconditional and they motivate me in so many different ways."
Vanessa continues to honor her marriage to Kobe.
On what would have been their 20-year wedding anniversary, Vanessa posted a photo of them kissing on their wedding day and wrote, "Happy Anniversary, baby. I love you. 20 years. ❤️ @kobebryant."
