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Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Bryant: A Timeline of Their Relationship

A lasting love. Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Bryant’s decades-long romance came to a tragic end when the NBA legend died on January 26, 2020. Despite their relationship’s heartbreaking conclusion, their romance was filled with many highs over the years.

The love between Kobe and Vanessa began not long after the duo first met in November 1999. The couple were engaged six months into their whirlwind romance, and they later tied the knot in the spring of 2001. During the course of their marriage, the pair welcomed four daughters: Natalia, Gianna, Bianka, and Capri.

In January 2020, Kobe revealed the key to his marriage’s success during an appearance on Showtime Basketball’s All the Smoke. He noted on the YouTube series that “commitment” and the “competitiveness of ‘We’re going to succeed’” kept the couple going throughout the years.

“We’ve seen couples that have been, like, 85 years old and you look and you’re like, ‘Oh man, such an old, sweet couple,’ and I’d go talk to them because I wanna know … ,” the Los Angeles Lakers star said at the time. “One time a guy goes, ‘Yeah it’s great, but she just kicked me out of the bed last night, I was sleeping on the couch last two nights.’”

Kobe argued that the highs and lows are an essential element to a lasting marriage. “That’s all the beauty of it: having the persistence and determination to work through things — very, very tough things — and we’ve been able to do that,” he admitted.

The pair’s marriage has survived many hurdles, from Kobe’s sexual misconduct allegations to a devastating miscarriage. The pair initially announced their plans to separate in 2011, but they later called off the divorce proceedings and opted to stay together in 2013.

“We are pleased to announce that we have reconciled,” Vanessa wrote via Instagram in January 2013. “Our divorce action will be dismissed. We are looking forward to our future together.”

Kobe and his second eldest daughter Gianna died in a helicopter accident in Calabasas, California, in January 2020. Authorities confirmed that the pair died along with seven others while flying in the late athlete’s helicopter. When the rotorcraft crashed onto a hillside, it erupted into flames. Kobe was 41 and Gigi was 13.

After filing a lawsuit against L.A. first responders who took photos of the crash site — and shared them among friends and colleagues — Vanessa was awarded $16 million in August 2022. Her co-plaintiff, Chris Chester, won $15 million. His wife and daughter were killed alongside Kobe and Gianna in the crash.

Scroll down to explore Kobe and Vanessa’s romance throughout the years.


November 1999
Kobe and Vanessa first crossed paths when he was 21 and she was 17. Stewart Cook/Shutterstock
May 2000
The lovebirds were engaged six months into their relationship. Vanessa was still a high school senior at the time. Wintersteller/BEI/Shutterstock
April 2001
Kobe and Vanessa tied the knot in Dana Point, California. Bei/Shutterstock
January 2003
The duo welcomed their first child, Natalia. Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
July 2003
Kobe was charged with sexual assault after a a 19-year-old Colorado hotel employee accused him of misconduct. He ultimately denied the allegations, but he did admit to being unfaithful to his wife. “I’m innocent. 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, where Vanessa was seated beside him. “I love my wife with all my heart. She’s my backbone.” The charges were later dropped. Kevork Djansezian/AP/Shutterstock
April 2005
Vanessa suffered a miscarriage while pregnant with what would have been the pair’s second child. She experienced an ectopic pregnancy. E Charbonneau/Bei/Shutterstock
May 2006
The longtime pair welcomed their second daughter, Gianna. Mark J Terrill/AP/Shutterstock
April 2011
The couple hit a major relationship milestone when their 10-year wedding anniversary arrived. Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock
December 2011
Vanessa filed for divorce against Kobe. She cited irreconcilable differences for the cause of separation. Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Shutterstock
January 2013
The pair revealed via social media that they reconciled their romance. Matt Sayles/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
December 2016
Kobe and Vanessa welcomed their third daughter, Bianka. Courtesy of Kobe Bryant/Instagram
June 2019
The former athlete’s wife gave birth to their fourth daughter, Capri. Courtesy of Kobe Bryant/Instagram
January 2020
Kobe and his daughter Gianna died with seven others in a tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Shutterstock
April 2021
Vanessa honored her late husband on what would’ve been their 20th anniversary in April 2021, sharing two Instagram posts for the occasion. “Happy Anniversary, baby. I love you. 20 years.❤️ @kobebryant,” she wrote alongside a photo from the couple’s wedding day in 2001. She also shared a video montage with an old interview of Kobe gushing about their romance. “It’s fun. We have a good time together. I love her tremendously. But we’re best friends too. It’s a blessing,” the late athlete said in the clip. Vanessa captioned the footage: “I love you for now, forever and for always @kobebryant❤️❤️.” Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
June 2021
Us confirmed in June 2021 that Vanessa and the other families of passengers on board Kobe and Gianna’s fatal ride reached a confidential settlement agreement with the company that owned and operated the helicopter. Vanessa filed the suit in February 2020. AFF-USA/Shutterstock
February 2022
"Happy Valentine’s Day, Baby. My Forever Valentine. ❤️," Vanessa captioned a heartwarming Instagram photo of her posing with her late husband. "#AmoreMio #TiAmo #PerSempre 💜💛." Matt Baron/Shutterstock
April 2022
The former model proudly posted a TikTok video made by eldest daughter Natalia, which featured dozens of photos of Vanessa and Kobe. "This trend is so cute. @nataliabryant 😘❤️," Vanessa captioned her Instagram upload of the video. "Such great memories." Matt Rourke/AP/Shutterstock; Rob Latour/Shutterstock
April 2022
Vanessa celebrated what would have been her and Kobe's 21st wedding anniversary by sharing a throwback photo of her arms wrapped around the NBA icon's neck. “I love you forever, baby. Happy Anniversary @kobebryant #21 ❤️❤️,” she wrote via Instagram. Eric Charbonneau/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
August 2022
Vanessa celebrated what would have been Kobe's 44th birthday with a throwback photo of the couple. "Happy birthday, baby!" she captioned the snap via Instagram. "I love you and miss you so much! #44." Courtesy of Vanessa Bryant/Instagram
August 2022
Vanessa was awarded $16 million in the lawsuit she filed against first responders who took and shared photos of Kobe and Gianna's crash site. Her co-plaintiff — whose wife and daughter were also killed in the helicopter crash — was awarded $15 million. Zuma / SplashNews.com


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