Vanessa credits her strength during the unthinkable time to both Kobe and Gianna.
“They inspire me to try harder and be better every day.
Their love is unconditional and they motivate me in so many different ways.”
Here’s a look at the love shared by Vanessa andKobe Bryant, starting from the very beginning.
Kobe began by joking about his short foray into rapping.
“It didn’t last long, but I did make a video.
On the video set is where I first met Vanessa,” he recalled (perPeople).
The budding NBA star found Vanessa captivating and frequently sought her out during the two-day shoot.
Kobe seized the opportunity to ask for Vanessa’s number.
Twenty years from the day they met, Kobe even took Vanessa toDisneylandto celebrate theirlovestory (perInstagram).
In May 2000, just six months after they first met, Kobe asked her to marry him.
Bryant shut down rumors his mystery lady was another famous figure.
“She’s my movie star, she’s my star,” a 21-year-old Kobe told reporters.
It became chaotic when media started showing up at the school (perNews.com.au).
Eventually, Vanessa decided to complete her high school education through independent study.
They felt the couple was too young to get married (perNews.com.au).
Still, Kobe’s devotion to Vanessa was unwavering.
Despite their high-profile relationship, not much is known aboutKobe and Vanessa Bryant’s wedding.
“We’d wake up and do what kids do.
“It was just a beautiful time, man.”
I did not want to take my eyes off her and my wife,” he shared.
I was on the bench waving the towel.
She was in there playing and hitting all the big baskets."
Kobe admitted to an encounter with the 19-year-old woman, but claimed it was consensual.
“I didn’t force her to do anything against her will.
I’m innocent,” he said during a press conference with Vanessa by his side (perESPN).
Vanessa also released a statement.
“I know that my husband has made a mistake the mistake of adultery.
“He is not a criminal.
I believe in his innocence.”
Sadly, they experienced another heartbreaking blow in 2005.
“The reality is it happened because of me.
That’s something I have to deal with,” he said in the documentary (perTMZ).
“There was just so much stress, she actually, she actually miscarried.”
“We are all full of beautiful emotions after what has been such an incredible day.”
Like with Vanessa’s first pregnancy, Kobe found himself balancing his new arrival and basketball season.
From there, he went to the hospital where Gianna was born just hours later.
Fatherhood was believed to be what ended their one-time feud.
By the end of the year, their struggles would become apparent.
Vanessa filed for divorce despite Kobe trying to save the marriage.
The reason, according toTMZ, was alleged infidelity by the Lakers superstar.
But despite how close they were to ending their relationship, the two had a change of heart.
Kobe shared the news in January 2013 in a statement shared to hissocial media accounts.
Thank you all for your support and prayers!”
“We had hoped to grow old together like the movie.”
That July, Kobe and Vanessa announced they were expecting their third child.
“Beyond blessed and excited to share that we are expecting our third baby girl!!!”
he wrote onInstagram, captioning a photo of a onesie that read “Baby Mamba.”
In the caption, he confirmed the good news that a fourth Bryant baby was on the way.
Many people were happy for the couple, but were curious if he wanted a son.
“I love having girls I’m super, super excited about that.
She is as well.
She wanted a boy so he can be mama’s boy forever that sort of thing.
We’ll see if I can deliver, I don’t know.”
The sweet moment was all the more heartbreaking in hindsight.
The helicopter was transporting Kobe, Gianna, and others to Thousand Oaks for the team’s game.
Vanessa Bryant was told there was an accident and it was unclear ifKobe and Giannawere safe.
She tried to reach her husband, but was unable to.
“Commitment and competitiveness of ‘We’re going to succeed,'” he shared.
