The trial between Los Angeles County and Vanessa Bryant, the widow of former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, has shed light on privacy concerns for scenes of accidents and crime scenes. 

A nine-member California jury recently awarded Vanessa $16 million after an 11-day civil trial that went into graphic details about the gruesome photos taken from the helicopter crash site.

Kobe's widow sued Los Angeles County for emotional distress caused by deputies and firefighters sharing photos of her husband and daughter's bodies at the site of the helicopter crash.

The January 2020 helicopter crash killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter, Gianna Bryant, and seven others.

Despite being a former model married to one of the NBA's biggest stars, Vanessa Bryant liked to stay out of the public eye. However, she still worked with charities and other foundations following the death of her husband and daughter.

Her most recent public appearances included Kobe Bryant's induction to the Basketball Hall of Fame and her case against Los Angeles County.

Who is Vanessa Bryant?

Before she married Kobe Bryant, she was known as Vanessa Laine, taking her stepfather's family name after her real father left them. She was born on May 5, 1982, and is of Mexican descent.

According to the Cold Wire, she was born Vanessa Cornejo Urbieta and was raised by a single mother. Her mother remarried when she was eight, thus changing her name to Vanessa Laine. Her next name change would be her most significant, though.

Vanessa started her career as a music video model and has appeared in many popular music videos from artists like Snoop Dogg and Krazy Bones. She was also cast in one of Kobe Bryant's music videos, and the two fell in love.

Vanessa soon became known as the "Queen Mamba," the wife of "Black Mamba" Kobe Bryant. The two married in April 2001 at Saint Edward the Confessor Catholic Church. However, they had a very intimate wedding, with only 12 attendees.

They had their first daughter, Natalia Diamante Bryant, on January 19, 2003. Gianna Maria Onore Bryant, who would have followed in her father's footsteps, followed just three years later. 

Two more daughters followed, with Bianka Bella Bryant, better known as BB, and then their youngest, Capri Bryant, born on June 20, 2019. 

Sadly, BB was only in preschool, and Capri was only a toddler when their father and elder sister passed away.

Together with Vanessa, the NBA legend founded the Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation in 2007, helping out minority college students all over the world get scholarships.

READ NEXT: Kobe Bryant Crash Photos Trial: Vanessa Bryant Awarded $16 Million in Civil Case vs. Los Angeles County

How Much is Vanessa Bryant Net Worth Now?

After Kobe Bryant's death, Vanessa Bryant inherited much of his money as his wife. According to Sports Keeda, the fiery Latina's net worth is around $600 million.

Her husband, Kobe Bryant, earned most of that money in his long basketball career. It still does not count the $16 million she won from her lawsuit, as she will donate all of it to charity.

Specifically, she will be handing all that money to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, another Kobe Bryant's charity.

READ MORE: Kobe Bryant's Widow Vanessa Bryant to Donate $16 Million Court Winnings to Mamba & Mambacita Foundation

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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