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.
