Vanessa was the “Queen Mamba” to Kobe’s “Black Mamba,” and they were married for nearly 20 years. Vanessa and Kobe met when she was in high school, and despite having rocky moments in their marriage, the couple stayed strong, having four beautiful daughters together.
Young Vanessa
Vanessa Urbieta Cornejo Laine was born on May 5, 1982, in Los Angeles. She was a happy but quiet kid, whose friends describe as ‘deeply family-orientated’.
Her family was also pretty protective and didn’t let her date much as a teenager. Vanessa lived with her mom and sister Sophie.
Her parents divorced when she was a baby, her dad then moving to Baja, Mexico. After her mom remarried, Vanessa started using her step-dad’s surname Laine, which she changed to legally in high school.
Music Video Star
Vanessa always had something magnetic about her, and during the summer of 1999, just before she began her senior year of high school, she was spotted at a concert and asked to appear in a music video.
Vanessa was called to appear in a music video alongside rappers Snoop Dogg and Tha Eastsidaz for their song “G’d Up”
and wore a metallic bikini for her debut as a video vixen. She was already turning heads back in 1999!
Vanessa Meets Kobe
In 1999, the same year that 17-year-old Vanessa appeared in the video for “G’d Up,” she met 19-year-old Kobe Bryant.
Vanessa shared this photo on Instagram in 2019, saying, “The day we met 20 years ago. K.o.b.e I love YOU,” marking the date as 11/27/99.
The pair met on the set of another music video, but it wasn’t until the following day that Kobe plucked up the courage to ask Vanessa for her phone number, and she obliged!
First Date At Disneyland
Vanessa and Kobe’s first official date was a trip to Disneyland. Kobe was already a big star, and bodyguards followed them around the park to make sure the couple was safe and to ward off paparazzi.
This would become a regular occurrence as the couple dated, with security slipping them into previously blocked-off streets after a movie a the local Cineplex.
Reporters ever waited at the doorstep of her grandfather’s house, which irritated the family girl, who wanted to shield her relatives from the press.
Vanessa’s Birthday
Kobe Bryant put his love out into the world for everyone to see once more on Vanessa’s birthday in May 2019.
He shared a snap of the couple together, in which Vanessa appears quite heavily pregnant. Kobe captioned the cute photo with a celebratory message that read, “
Happy Birthday to my beautiful baby @vanessabryant you are like fine wine baby,” suggesting that she only gets better with age.
It’s certainly true that Vanessa continues to look stunning throughout the years.
A Tragedy
On January 26, 2020, the Bryant family suffered a great loss when Kobe and 13-year-old Gianna were killed in a shocking and tragic helicopter crash.
Sadly, there were 9 victims in total who were traveling to the Thousand Oaks, California, Mamba training facility.
Tributes poured in as fans, athletes, and sports journalists mourned the loss of one of basketball’s greatest icons and a promising future athlete.
Celebrities rallied to support Vanessa, with Jessica Simpsons writing, “Vanessa, you are the woman and wife that championed your husband to greatness.”
Taken From Us Too Soon
After a period away from social media, Vanessa shared a touching tribute to Gianna and Kobe, from herself and three surviving daughters.
Vanessa said that she and her family were “devastated” by the sudden loss of Kobe and Gianna. Vanessa described them as “
our beautiful blessings taken from us too soon,” but she vowed they would continue despite their pain. She said, “
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.”
Vanessa’s Tribute
As part of the tribute, Vanessa acted as Kobe would have wanted by announcing a generous fund to support the families of the other seven people killed in the helicopter crash.
Vanessa’s heartbreaking message went on to thank fans for their continued thoughts and prayers. Basketball fans and fans of the family shared in their mourning.
She said, “Thank you for all the prayers, we definitely need them… I’m not sure what our life holds beyond today”.
Memorial Service
Vanessa stood strong despite the terrible circumstances and courageously took the stage at the public memorial service held to honor her husband and daughter.
She made a heartbreaking speech in which she said, “We will not be able to see Gigi go to high school,” she said. “
We didn’t have the chance to teach her how to drive a car. I won’t be able to tell her how gorgeous she looks on her wedding day or see her walk down the aisle.”
Portraits Of A Marriage
Vanessa and Kobe Bryant shared this romantic photoshoot they had taken in late 2019. The beautiful black and white photos were shot by photography group The Collective You, who specializes in celebrity portraits, fashion editorial images, and events coverage.
This would be their last photoshoot together. The couple looked into the camera with conviction in this photo which was intended to show their strength as a couple and their determination to face 2020 head-on as a strong family unit.
How Vanessa Bryant Became ‘Queen Mamba’
Vanessa was the “Queen Mamba” to Kobe’s “Black Mamba,” and they were married for nearly 20 years. Vanessa and Kobe met when she was in high school, and despite having rocky moments in their marriage, the couple stayed strong, having four beautiful daughters together.
