Introduction:
Vanessa Bryant, the widow of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, has been in the news recently after winning a multi-million-dollar settlement in her lawsuit against Los Angeles County over the inappropriate handling and photo-taking by its emergency responders. The tragedy took away both her husband and daughter Gianna in the same helicopter crash. Before this recent settlement, Vanessa was already worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Let’s take a look at how much she is worth now and the sources of her wealth.
Vanessa Bryant’s Net Worth:
Vanessa Bryant’s net worth is reportedly $600 million, which is the same amount as her late husband’s estimated net worth at the time of his death, according to Forbes. The Bryants’ fortune was mostly built on Kobe’s on- and off-the-court earnings, with more than $300 million made in salary alone with the Los Angeles Lakers. He also had endorsement deals with global brands such as Nike, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, and Mercedes-Benz.
Kobe’s Business Ventures:
Kobe’s business ventures also contributed significantly to the couple’s wealth. In 2013, he started a venture capital firm called Bryant Stibel, which works closely with Dun & Bradstreet and has stakes across various tech and media companies such as Dell, Alibaba, and Epic Games. In 2014, Kobe invested around $4 million to $6 million in then-start-up sports drink BodyArmor. In 2021, CNBC reported that BodyArmor was sold to Coca-Cola for $5.6 billion, which reportedly netted the Kobe Bryant Estate an estimate of $400 million.
Vanessa Bryant’s Negotiations with Nike:
Vanessa was front and center of the negotiations with Nike. When the basketball superstar’s post-retirement contract with the shoe brand was set to expire in 2021, it was reported the Kobe Bryant Estate and Nike couldn’t agree on a new deal. Talks allegedly stalled when the estate asked Nike to produce a higher volume of the Kobe line. A year later, Vanessa announced through an Instagram post that the partnership with Nike would continue.
Vanessa’s Recent Settlement:
Vanessa was unanimously awarded $15 million by a jury for her complaint against Los Angeles County for their alleged sharing of the photos from the January 2020 helicopter crash and its victims. According to LA Times, Vanessa plans to donate the proceeds to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.
Reactions to Vanessa’s Settlement:
Vanessa has received a mix of both support and criticism, with the latter stemming from the recent court win. Some criticize the use of taxpayers’ money to pay the estate given that they fund the sheriff and fire services. Nevertheless, Vanessa has received support from Hollywood singers and friends Ciara and Monica, as well as some of Kobe’s fans who have shown support to the NBA legend’s widow.
Conclusion:
Despite the tragic loss of her husband and daughter, Vanessa Bryant’s net worth has continued to soar. With her late husband’s business ventures and her recent settlement, she has become one of the wealthiest women in the world.
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