Vanessa Bryant, widow of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, has donated her entire $28.85 million settlement from Los Angeles County to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, a nonprofit she leads in memory of her husband and daughter, Gianna.
The settlement came after a legal battle against Los Angeles County, where Vanessa sued over the unauthorized sharing of private photos from the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Kobe, Gianna, and seven others in January 2020.
The court ruled in her favor, awarding her compensation for the emotional distress caused by the incident.
Rather than keeping the money, Vanessa chose to channel it toward a cause that deeply reflects the values and dreams of her late husband and daughter.
The Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation provides underprivileged youth with opportunities to play sports, attend camps, and develop leadership skills, continuing Kobe and Gianna’s shared mission of inspiring excellence and empowerment through athletics.
In her statement, Vanessa said the donation was a way to “honor my husband and daughter’s legacy with love and purpose.”
She emphasized that giving back through the foundation allows her to transform immense personal loss into lasting positive impact.
Since the donation, the foundation has expanded its outreach programs, enabling countless children, especially girls in sports, to access resources and mentorship that help them pursue their dreams.
Vanessa Bryant’s act of generosity has been widely praised as an example of strength, resilience, and compassion. Even through deep grief, she has turned pain into purpose, reminding the world that healing can come through helping others.
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