Last Updated on February 27, 2024
Who is Vanessa Bryant?
Vanessa Marie Bryant (previously known as Laine) is an American philanthropist, business leader, and former model. She was born Vanessa Urbieta Cornejo on May 5, 1982. Her marriage to NBA player Kobe Bryant catapulted her into the spotlight. The Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation was established in 2007 to grant minority college students worldwide scholarships.
Vanessa is also the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation founder, which helps underprivileged children athletes. In addition to the above information, she remains the president and chief executive officer of Granity Studios.
Vanessa Bryant renamed her husband’s Mamba Sports Foundation to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation in honor of her daughter after Kobe’s death in 2020.
Mambacita helps underprivileged children who are athletes. Bryant debuted the Mambacita clothing brand in May 2021, named after her daughter Gianna. The line collaborates with Dannijo, a female-owned company, with all sales going to the Mambacita Sports Foundation.
Vanessa Bryant collaborates with Baby2Baby to help impoverished moms and children. She got a philanthropic award at the Baby2Baby 10-year gala in November 2021. Bryant earned the Be Your Own Champion Award for her leadership of the Mambacita Sports Foundation on February 8, 2022, at the Sports Power Brunch: Celebrating the Most Powerful Women in Sports.
Quick Facts
| Full Name: | Vanessa Laine (formerly Vanessa Urbieta Cornejo) Bryant |
| Popular Name: | Vanessa Bryant |
| Gender: | Female |
| Birth Date: | May 5, 1982 |
| Age: | 40 years |
| Parents: | Mother- Sofia Laine; Father- N/A |
| Siblings: | Sophie Laine |
| Birth Place: | Los Angeles |
| Nationality: | American |
| Ethnicity: | Mexican |
| Education: | Marina High School |
| Marital Status: | Single (Spouse is late) |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Wife/Spouse: | Kobe Bryant (Late) |
| Children: | Gianna Maria Onore-Bryant (late), Capri-Kobe Bryant, Natalia Diamante Bryant, Bianka Bella Bryant |
| Dating: | N/A |
| Net Worth: | $600 Million |
| Source of Wealth: | Modeling, Entrepreneurship |
| Height: | 5ft5 (1.65 m) |
| Weight: | 55 kg (121 lbs) |
Early Life and Career Information
On May 5, 1982, Vanessa Bryant was born Vanessa Cornejo Urbieta. She was born in the Huntington Beach neighborhood of California. She is of English, Mexican, Irish, and German ancestry.
Vanessa moved to Marina High School after attending St. Boniface Parochial School in 1996 and being a member of the varsity cheerleading squad.
Vanessa and her friend Rowena Ireifej went to a hip-hop event at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheater in August 1999. A business then approached them and offered them an opportunity to be extras in music videos. Vanessa later starred in music videos for Krayzie Bone and Snoop Dogg.
Vanessa’s mother accompanied her to the photoshoots. At one of these photoshoots, Vanessa met her future husband, Kobe Bryant, on the music video for the song “G’d Up” in November 1999. Vanessa continued her studies at Marina High School and graduated with honors in 2000.
Vanessa and Kobe Bryant were engaged six months after meeting. Vanessa was given a seven-carat diamond as an engagement ring, and on April 18, 2001, they tied the knot. The private wedding ceremony took place in the St. Edward Roman Catholic Church in Dana Point, California, with just 12 people in attendance.
She assumed his last name after the marriage and became Vanessa Marie Bryant. Vanessa Bryant defended her husband during the sexual assault prosecution against him in 2003, saying, “I realize my husband made the mistake of infidelity.” She received a $4 million eight-carat purple diamond ring a few days later, prompting rumors that it was a gift for her support.
Sadly, Vanessa Bryant filed for divorce from Kobe on December 16, 2011, citing that they had “irreconcilable differences.” However, thirteen months later, they called off the divorce, stating that they had reconciled their differences.
What Is Vanessa Bryant’s Net Worth?
Over time, Vanessa Bryant had grown to be an independent woman instead of the young adult she was when she married Kobe in 2001. She has dabbled into entrepreneurship, philanthropy and is now a well-seasoned model. All these, including her husband’s wealth that he left behind. However, with how industrious Vanessa Bryant has proven herself to be, a lot can change in the coming years. I guess we’ll have to wait and see!
Lessons from the Life of Vanessa Bryant
Hard Work Pays
Vanessa Bryant came from a background where she experienced her mother leave her father and marry again. Most people keep searching for excuses to be failures, which could have served as the perfect opportunity for her. However, she did not let her challenges deter her from achieving her full potential.
Vanessa consistently worked hard while developing herself by engaging in entrepreneurship activities and modeling. From insight into Vanesa Bryant’s life, it is pretty evident that her hard work contributed largely to her net worth.
Independent Women Would Never Be Stranded
The death of both Kobe and Gigi Bryant came as a shock to everyone as the whole world came to a standstill upon hearing the news. Although things would never be the same with the Bryants, it would have been much harder if Vanessa Bryant could not sustain her family.
Vanessa’s background in entrepreneurship and her ability to sustain her and Kobe’s foundation is proof that she is a dependable woman. If that isn’t admirable, then I don’t know what is.
