Kobe Bryant Family: 5 Facts About Vanessa Bryant And Their Remaining Kids

Kobe Bryant, a retired NBA player and well-known Los Angeles Lakers star, has died on Jan. 26 as his helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California. His death shocked not just the fans but the whole world. People were even more heartbroken after learning that his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was also with him at that time and died as well.

There were no survivors and initial reports stated that at least nine people were on board the chopper. Bryant’s friends, former colleagues and people around the world expressed their sadness over his sudden passing.

"I am in shock over the tragic news of Kobe's and Gianna's passing. Words can't describe the pain I'm feeling,” Michael Jordan, through his spokeswoman, said in a statement.”I loved Kobe - he was like a little brother to me. We used to talk often, and I will miss those conversations very much."

Jordan went on to say that Bryant was a fierce competitor and one of the greats of the game. He also described the LA Lakers legend as an amazing father who greatly loves his family.

Kobe Bryant was survived by his wife, Vanessa Bryant, and three children Natalia Diamante who turned 17 last week, 3-year-old Bianka Bella and Capri Kobe who is not even a year old yet. 13-year-old Gianna Maria-Onore, the player’s second daughter was confirmed to have died in the crash. Below are five other facts to know about his wife and remaining children:

1. Vanessa was 17 when he first met Bryant in 1999 and he was 21 at the time. Six months after their initial meeting, the LA Lakers’ star proposed and they did not have a prenuptial agreement.
2. They got married when Vanessa Laine was only 18 and no one from Bryant’s family attended their nuptials in 2001. It was said that his family did not agree with his decision to get married because he was too young and the woman is not black. Vanessa is half Mexican and half Irish so his family did not support the marriage.
3. Kobe Bryant and Vanessa filed for divorce in 2011 but as the process is ongoing and their separation was not yet finalized, they reconciled instead. In 2013, they announced that they will no longer separate and will stay together for good. Their youngest two daughters were born after they reconciled.
4. Natalia Bryant is Kobe’s eldest daughter who just turned 17 this month and attends Sage Hill High School. She is a volleyball player and a good hitter in her junior high school team. Her skills in the sport always draw attention from the media. Her father gave her the nickname “Nani.”
5. Bianka and Capri Bryant are the third and fourth daughters who Kobe called BB and Koko, respectively. They are just toddlers so it is really sad that they only got to spend a few years of their lives with their father.

Meanwhile, according to TMZ, Kobe and her daughter Gigi were heading to Mamba Academy to attend a basketball practice. It was reported that the father and daughter flew out on a foggy morning and heavy mist could have caused a major problem during the flight.