At age 22, Kobe Bryant married Vanessa Laine, an 18-year-old high school student, in a private ceremony in front of about a dozen people at St. Edward Roman Catholic Church in Dana Point, Calif. After the nuptials, the happy couple scooted off in Bryant's black Ferrari. Vanessa's 7 carat wedding ring had an estimated value of $100,000.

Bryant acknowledged that from the moment he became engaged to 18-year-old Vanessa Laine two years ago, it caused a family division, especially with his father, Joe Bryant. The family reunited after the birth of the couple's first child.

Vanessa Bryant gave birth to Natalia Diamante Bryant at 3:08 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, 2003. The baby girl weighed in at 6 pounds 14 ounces and was 19-1/2 inches long. Kobe was reported saying, "She looks just like Vanessa, thank God!"


This is the text of a statement released at the request of Kobe Bryant's wife, Vanessa, through her husband's attorneys, Harold Haddon and Pamela Robillard Mackey, and his agent Rob Pelinka.

"I know that my husband has made a mistake -- the mistake of adultery. He and I will have to deal with that within our marriage, and we will do so. He is not a criminal.

I know that he did not commit a crime, he did not assault anyone. He is a loving and kind husband and father. I believe in his innocence.

Because I know him to be innocent, I will stand by him and we will face this together. I will give him all the strength and support he needs to face these false accusations. I will not let him face these accusations alone.

I know Kobe better than anyone. The great person you see on the court and in the public is a far greater person off the court." 

Credit: kobe8bryant.net/