Kobe Bean Bryant was born on 23 August 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA, into a catholic family and to a father who was a professional basketball player. Kobe’s enormous talent on the basketball court landed him a huge fan base and an even greater paycheck. He died in a helicpter crash in 2020.
So just how rich was Kobe Bryant? Sources estimate that this successful and popular basketball player had a net worth of over $220 million. During his NBA career playing for the Los Angeles Lakers Club, his salary reached a mind-boggling $30.5 million, second only to Michael Jordan in receiving a salary this large. An example of Kobe’s continuing worth to the team is that in 2010 he signed a two-year contract extending his career with the club, allegedly worth $83.5 million. Kobe Bryant also topped the list of the Forbes highest-earning NBA players with salary $7 million higher than any other player’s. In addition to his many achievements playing for the Lakers, the guard also won two gold medals playing with the US basketball team at the Summer Olympic games of 2008 and 2012.
Kobe Bryant Net Worth $220 Million
Kobe Bryant’s father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant was a former player for the Philadelphia 76ers and former head coach of Los Angeles Sparks. So, it could be said that basketball came naturally to Kobe – he started playing basketball at the age of three, even then dreaming of playing for his favourite club, the Los Angeles Lakers. After finishing high school, he skipped university and was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996, however, he was immediately traded to the Lakers, and only played with the Lakers during a career spanning almost 20 years. At 19 he became the youngest All-Star starter in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). In his third year Bryant signed a six-year contract extension worth $70 million. The team won five NBA titles over those seasons, and Kobe’s records are legendary, including leading league scorer (2005-6, 2006-7); selection for the ALL-NBA team 15 times; 17 NBA All-Star games; and four All-Star MVP awards. His scoring record is set at almost 150 games in which he scored more than 40 points.
At 37 and after 19 years playing in the NBA Bryant was still at the top of his game. His worldwide stardom landed him contracts with brands like Adidas, Spirit, Spalding, Turkish Air, Nike, Coca-Cola, etc, earning him over $40 million through endorsement deals with these brands.
In his personal life, Kobe Bryant married Vanessa Laine in 2001, and the couple has two daughters and remain together despite some differences along the way, including an accusation of sexual assault in 2003, settled out of court. The couple established the “Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation” which helps families in need. Additionally Bryant was an ambassador for After-School All Stars, an American non-profit organization that provides comprehensive after-school programs for children, and also started the Kobe Bryant China Fund, partnered with the Soong Ching Ling Foundation, a charity backed by the Chinese government. The Kobe Bryant China Fund raises money within China earmarked for education and health programs. He is also a supporter of the Call of Duty – Black Ops organisation which assists military veterans to resume civilian lives.
Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash in California on 26 January 2020; his daughter Gianna was also killed in the accident. Many tributes were paid by people around the world, including many from outside the sporting community.
NBA Most Valuable Player Award, All-NBA Team, Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award, NBA All-Defensive Team, NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award, NBA All-Rookie Team, Best NBA Player ESPY Award, ESPY Icon Award, Naismith Boy's High School Player of the Year, BET Award for Sport...
Nominations
Best Male Athlete ESPY Award, Best Moment ESPY Award, Best Play ESPY Award, Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year, Teen Choice Award for Choice Male Athlete, Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Male Athlete, Best Male Athlete ESPY Award, Best Moment ESPY Award, Best Play ESPY Award, Laure...
TV Shows
Kobe Bryant's Muse, Kobe Bryant's Muse
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Quote
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[the last words in his farewell speech after his final game] what can I say...Mamba out
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[announcing his plans to retire from the NBA after twenty seasons] My mind can handle the grind but my body knows it's time to say goodbye.
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The topic of leadership is a touchy one. A lot of leaders fail because they don't have the bravery to touch that nerve or strike that chord. Throughout my years, I haven't had that fear.
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I look at a boy like Daniel, who truly is a miracle baby, and I thank God that I'm in a position to help make his world a little brighter. But he made my world a little brighter, too. If I was his Christmas present today, than he was mine.
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Fact
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His wife Vanessa Laine Bryant are expecting 3rd third child together by January 2017.
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[[Referring to Kobe Bryant]When commentators witness a clutch shot or a crossover. They say "Mama there goes that Man.".
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Scored 60 points in his final game (April 2016).
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The civil lawsuit was settled for undisclosed amount [September 2004].
Finished with preliminary hearing, and is now awaiting trial for rape charges, although he still hasn't made a plea. Still playing basketball for the Los Angeles Lakers. [April 2004]
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Colorado judge dismisses all rape charges. Kobe writes a letter of apology to accuser and her parents, but admits no wrongdoing. Civil trial still pending. [September 2004]
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participates in a NBA fund-raising basketball game for hurricane Katrina victims. He also visits Katrina victims in New Orleans, Louisiana [September 2005]
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In November 2009, he passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the Los Angeles Lakers' all-time scorers list, putting him in second place behind only Jerry West.
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Won three NBA championships, was voted league MVP, and won an Olympic gold medal all by the time he was 30 years old. (In fact, the day he and the U.S. Basketball team won the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China was his 30th birthday.).
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In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated his salary for the year to be $33 million.
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Due in large part to his public feud with his former LA teammate Shaquille O'Neal, a game between the Miami Heat and the LA Lakers has become a recent Christmas Day tradition.
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On 22 January 2006, Bryant scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, the second-highest single-game scoring output by a player in NBA history, second only to Wilt Chamberlain's legendary 100 points on 2 March 1962. Bryant achieved his feat by converting 28 of 46 field goals (including 7 of 13 3-pointers), and making 18 of 20 free throws.
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Wife, Vanessa Laine Bryant, gave birth to their second child, daughter Gianna Maria-Onore on May 1st, 2006 at 2:30 am, weighing in at 6 lbs, 7 oz.
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Recorded a song with Tyra Banks called "K.O.B.E." This song was released as a single, but the full album was never released.
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The Charlotte Hornets traded him in 1996 to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for center Vlade Divac. Divac who at the time was already in the league for 7 years, has remained a 2nd rate journeyman center in the NBA. Bryant has become a Hall of Fame guard and is often compared to Michael Jordan.
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Scored 1,080 on his SATs
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Hired criminal defense attorney, Pamela Mackey to defend him against rape charges.
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Met his wife, Vanessa Laine Bryant, during a visit to the set of one of Snoop Dogg's video, where she was working as a model.
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His wife changed her name from Vanessa Cornejo Urbieta Laine to Vanessa Marie Bryant (29 May 2002).
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January 19, 2003 welcomed first child daughter Natalia Diamante Bryant. The baby weighed 6lbs 14oz.
The youngest player to appear in an NBA All-Star game. (1998)
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Signs first pro contract. (27 July 1996)
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Selected by USA Today and Parade Magazine as the National High School Player of the Year as a senior at Lower Merion H.S. He was also named Naismith Player of the Year, Gatorade Circle of Champions High School Player of the Year and to the McDonald's All-America Team.
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Made his debut at 18 years, 2 months and 11 days old, the youngest player ever to appear in an NBA game (3 November 1996)
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Drafted out of Lower Merion High School as the 13th pick by the Charlotte Hornets. Charlotte then traded Bryant's signing rights to the Los Angeles Lakers for center Vlade Divac (26 June 1996).
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Bryant was the all-time leading scorer in Southeastern Pennsylvania schoolboy history with 2,883 points, breaking the marks of Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain (2,359 points) and former St. Joseph's player Carlin Warley (2,441 points).
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Led the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA titles in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010.
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Won the 2001 and 2002 Teens Choice Award for favorite male athlete.
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NBA All-Star 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002.
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Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets out of high school in 1996, and was traded on Thursday, July 11th, 1996, to the Los Angales Lakers for taller center, Vlade Divac.
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Graduate with the class of '96 from Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, PA.
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Won the 1997 NBA Slam Dunk Competition.
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Was named MVP of the 2002 NBA All-Star Game.
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His father, Joe Bryant, averaged 8.7 points per game in 606 career games in the NBA.
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Has two older sisters, Sharia and Shaya.
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From ages 6-13, he lived in Italy, where his father continued his basketball career. Is fluent in Italian.
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His parents named him after a type of steak (Kobe) seen on a restaurant menu prior to his birth.