Kobe Bryant Leaves Behind His Wife Of 18 Years As Well As 3 Daughters

Jan 27, 2020 by apost team

On the morning of January 26, 2020, the 18-time All-Star and five-time N.B.A. champion, Kobe Bryant, passed away in a devastating helicopter crash. Tragically, the basketball legend’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was also among the nine people on board and lost her life.

Fans all over the world are paying tribute to their beloved basketball hero and his daughter. Thoughts and prayers go out to the rest of the Bryant family, Kobe’s wife Vanessa and Gianna’s sisters Natalia, Bianka and Capri.

Now is the time to remember Kobe Bryant, the All-Star, the champion, the legend and above all the family man. He took great care of his daughters and was a loving husband to Vanessa, who he had been married to for 18 years.

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Kobe and Vanessa first met in 1999 on the set of a music video, according to Nicki Swift. Back then the two were both still in high school but needless to say, Kobe was already involved with basketball. He actually proposed to Vanessa after a training session when the two had only known each other for about a year. 

Even though his family did not support their relationship, 21-year-old Kobe followed his heart and married Vanessa, who was 18 at the time, in 2001. Still, his parents didn’t attend the wedding, as Los Angeles Times reports.

During their 18 years of marriage, Kobe and Vanessa experienced some highs and lows, including Kobe being involved in a sexual assault scandal in 2003 and Vanessa suffering a miscarriage two years later. 

According to Fox Sports Vanessa actually filed for divorce in 2011, but the two managed to work things out and came out stronger than before. Since then they have been a true power couple, Kobe even calling Vanessa the “foundation” of their home in an Instagram post.

Kobe and Vanessa were lucky enough to welcome four beautiful daughters into this world. Their first daughter, Natalia Diamante, was born two years after their wedding. Four years later, their second child, Gianna Maria-Onore, first saw the light of day.

Up until now Gianna who tragically lost her life on January 26, 2020, had actually been the only one of Kobe and Vanessa’s daughters who shared Kobe’s love for basketball and was able to pull off a fadeaway jumper just like her dad, according to TMZ.

In 2016, daughter number four, Bianka Bella, came into the world. Just before Kobe retired from his basketball career. That way Bianka got to enjoy more of her father during her childhood than her older sisters had. 

Not even a year ago the newest addition to the Bryant family was born. Kobe and Vanessa’s youngest daughter was given the name Capri Kobe, in honor of her father. Unfortunately, little Capri won’t be able to remember her father, as she is only a few months old … but by carrying her father's name she will carry him with her as well.

Losing a loved one is heartbreaking … Let your thoughts and prayers go out to the Bryant family and be sure to pass this article along to keep Kobe and Gianna’s memory alive.