January 26th marks the fourth anniversary of the basketball player’s death Kobe Bryant, and social media was filled with tributes to the Lakers star, who died along with his daughter Gianna and seven other people that day in 2020 in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. The helicopter, a Sikorsky S-76B, crashed into a rocky slope in the Calabasas hills, and all occupants were killed instantly.
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The cause of the crash is still being investigated, but the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) believes it was caused by a combination of factors, including low levels of visibility and negligent riding. The helicopter pilot, Ara Zobayan, had a commercial license with a history of violations.
Kobe Bryant’s death was a shock to the world of basketball and sports. He was considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time and his death was a significant loss for the sport.
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A group of Mexicans gathered outside the iconic Staples Center, where Kobe played, to pay tribute online. He loved Mexico and his wife Vanessa’s roots.
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Kobe Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, and her three daughters, Natalia, Bianka and Capri, continue to learn to cope with the absence of Kobe and his daughter Gigi.
Vanessa was open about her grieving process and how she has been raising her daughters alone. She said it has been difficult, but that she is determined to raise the girls with the love and support that Kobe would give them.
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Natalia, Kobe and Vanessa’s eldest daughter, turned 21, is a student at the University of Southern California, and has been her mother’s right hand in many ways. She is also a model, signed to the IMG Models modeling agency, known for representing names such as Bella and Gigi Hadid, Kate Moss, Karlie Kloss, Chrissy Teigen, Camila Morrone, among others.
The young daughters, Bianka is five years old and Capri is about to turn four. Natalia, together with her mother, helps with the organization they created, “Fundação Esportiva Mamba & Mambacita” to support young athletes and created the Mamba & Mambacita Museum to honor the memory of Kobe and Gigi.
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In December 2022, Vanessa and her daughters attended Kobe’s induction ceremony into the Basketball Hall of Fame. It was an emotional moment for the family, but also an opportunity to celebrate Kobe’s life and career.
Indemnity
Vanessa Bryant won a $28.85 million settlement from Los Angeles County for releasing photos of the helicopter crash. In August 2022, a Los Angeles jury ruled in favor of Bryant, who filed a lawsuit alleging that authorities violated his privacy by taking and sharing the photos. The jury awarded Bryant $16 million in damages.
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In March 2023, Los Angeles County and Bryant reached a settlement worth $28.85 million. The settlement includes the $16 million awarded by the jury, as well as an additional $12.85 million to cover Bryant’s legal costs.
The settlement marks the end of a long and painful process for Vanessa Bryant. She said she hopes the settlement helps “heal and bring closure” to this sad chapter in her life. The amount will be donated to the foundation, to continue supporting young athletes.
Rita Garcia
Graduated in Communication Sciences (Mexico), crazy about cats and fascinated with the world of celebrities. She is happy to be part of OFuxico since 2000.