Inside Vanessa Bryant's rocky marriage with late Kobe Bryant amid scrutiny over her fresh pregnancy rumors

Time of India

10 hours ago

Vanessa Bryant, the wife of the late Kobe Bryant, recently found herself at the center of a wave of online criticism after false pregnancy rumors began circulating on social media. The rumors were triggered by a Facebook photo where some claimed she looked like she had gained a few pounds due to her alleged pregnancy. Things escalated quickly, especially after she was loosely linked to NBA star Jaylen Brown, with many jumping to conclusions about her 'moving on' from the NBA legend.
But Vanessa didn't stay silent. She took to social media herself to debunk the pregnancy speculation. Still, the internet wasn't done. Many Kobe fans began piling on, slut-shaming her and accusing her of disrespecting Kobe's memory, despite the fact that he passed away over four years ago, in a tragic 2020 helicopter crash that also claimed their daughter Gianna's life.
A particularly harsh viral rant from a man even went as far as saying Vanessa has no right to move on "like normal people," showing just how deep the parasocial obsession with celebrity widows can run. But was Kobe and Vanessa's marriage really as perfect as people want to remember? Scroll ahead to know more.
Vanessa filed for divorce but later reconciled with Kobe
Credit: Instagram
The love between Kobe and Vanessa began in November 1999, and it didn't take long for things to get serious. Just six months into their whirlwind romance, they got engaged, eventually tying the knot in the spring of 2001. Over the years, they became parents to four daughters: Natalia, Gianna, Bianka, and Capri. But their relationship wasn't without struggles. In 2011, Vanessa filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. The news came as a shock to many fans who had long admired their bond. However, by January 2013, the couple had reconciled. 'We are pleased to announce that we have reconciled,' Vanessa wrote on Instagram. 'Our divorce action will be dismissed. We are looking forward to our future together.'
Kobe admitted to cheating amid the 2003 sexual assault case
Still, their marriage had already been tested years earlier. In 2003, Kobe publicly admitted to cheating on Vanessa after he was accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old hotel employee in Colorado. At the time, their first daughter, Natalia, was just six months old, and Gianna had not yet been born. While Kobe denied the assault allegation, he did acknowledge that what happened was infidelity. The scandal deeply affected their relationship and public image, but the couple remained together and eventually worked through it.
Credit: X
Vanessa Bryant has weathered unimaginable twists and turns, yet she's continued to honor Kobe's legacy with strength and grace. But it's time the world lets her move forward—because she deserves happiness too.