Vanessa Bryant was catapulted into the spotlight once more this year with the tragic news of the death of her husband, Kobe, and 13-year-old daughter, Gianna. 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.