Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa are no more.
The soon-to-be former Mrs. Bryant filed divorce papers in California on Friday. But the divorce had been secretly in the works for a while as the original petition was signed by her on December 1st and by her husband on December 7th. In an effort to keep the details of their split private, the couple said in a joint statement late Friday that they had “resolved all issues incident to their divorce privately” and have already worked out an amicable agreement. Kobe never sought a pre-nuptial agreement prior to marrying Vanessa. So in the state of California she is entitled to half of his estimated $350. million dollar worth. OUCH!
According to TMZ, Vanessa Bryant ended the marriage over charges of a 2nd extra-marital affair. This comes after a 2003 episode, where Kobe was arrested on suspicion of raping a Colorado hotel employee. Although the criminal charges were ultimately dropped, Kobe publicly admitted to adultery, tarnishing his image and costing him millions in endorsement deals. He went on an immediate campaign to win his wife’s affection and trust back, promising to remain faithful and showering her with rare diamonds and other gifts. “I know that my husband has made a mistake — the mistake of adultery,” Vanessa Bryant said at the time, publicly standing by his side and opting to salvage the marriage. But this time, she wasn’t so forgiving.
Kobe and Vanessa met in 1999 when the 17-year-old Vanessa was cast to appear in a music video Kobe was involved in. The couple dated for 2 years and wed in a lavish ceremony in 2001.
As part of the settlement, Kobe has moved out and permanently relinquished the palatial multi-million dollar estate the couple purchased 10 years ago off the coast of the Pacific. They will also share joint custody of their daughters Natalia, 8, and Gianna, 5.
“We ask that in the interest of our young children, and in light of the upcoming holiday season, the public respect our privacy during this most difficult time,” the couple said in the statement.
Talk about stupid. This guy deserves whatever he got comin. No prenup then he cheats again???? Damn Kobe in California thats instant half of everything in a divorce. Stupid! He was young and in love when they got married never thinking something like this would ever happen. Except here it is. smh