41-year-old legendary NBA star Kobe Bryant, believed by many to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time, died in a fatal helicopter crash on Sunday, that is, January 26, 2020, in Calabasas, California. According to TMZ, Bryant was travelling in his private helicopter when it went down, and along with him, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna was also killed in the crash. Kobe is survived by his wife Vanessa Bryant, and three of their four children- Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.
Ever since the devastating news of Kobe’s death broke out on the Internet, everyone right from sports personalities to the entertainment world has been mourning the loss on social media. Former US President Barack Obama also took to his Twitter and shared a heartfelt tribute to mourn his death. The report in TMZ confirmed that Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa Bryant was not onboard with them on the helicopter, and it must have been heartbreaking and shattering for her to find out about this tragedy. Let's take a look at their marriage through all these years. ALSO READ: Kobe Bryant Dies In Helicopter Crash: Kim Kardashian Says Her Heart Is Heavy, 'Family Matters Most', Says Jennifer Lopez
Vanessa Bryant And Kobe Bryant Tied The Knot In 2001: The NBA star met Vanessa back in November 1999, two years before they got married. Back then, Kobe was 21 years old and Vanessa was 17. As per E! True Hollywood Story, Kobe proposed six months after they met each other, that is, in May 2000, and there was no prenuptial agreement.
Bryant Kobe And Vanessa’s Marriage Survived Sexual Assault Accusations: In 2003, Kobe Bryant had been accused of raping a 19-year employee, but he pled not guilty of the assault. He said that the sexual encounter was consensual, and later, in an episode of Showtime Basketball’s All The Smoke, he also talked about him doing what it takes to fix his marriage.
Vanessa Bryant Filed For Divorce: It was on December 16, 2011, that Vanessa had filed for a divorce citing irreconcilable differences. However, later in 2013, they took to social media and announced that they have called off their divorce.
Vanessa And Kobe Bryant’s Children: Vanessa and Kobe have four daughters- the eldest one being Natalia Diamante, who was born in January 2003. Gianna Maria-Onore, born in May 2006, was the one who died in the helicopter with Kobe. Vanessa gave birth to Bianka Belle in December 2016, while their youngest daughter Capri Kobe was born in June 2019.
Image Source: Instagram/kobebryant