Kobe Bryant’s Widow Kicked Own Mom Out of 3-Bedroom House She Inherited from Husband — Inside Her $2.6M Home

• Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant’s widow, inherited an impressive house with a lovely view from her late husband.
• After Kobe’s death, Vanessa’s mother stepped forward, claiming her daughter had kicked her out of the house, and demanded she return the car she was using at the time.

Vanessa Bryant, born Vanessa Urbieta Cornejo on May 5, 1982, in Los Angeles, married her husband, basketball legend Kobe Bryant, a year after graduating in 2000. The two married On April 18, 2001, after dating for a short while, and went on to have four daughters together, welcoming their oldest, Natalia Bryant, on January 19, 2003.

Their other daughters only came later, with the couple bringing their second daughter, Gianna Bryant, into the world on May 1, 2006. Bianka Bryant followed on December 5, 2016, and the pair’s youngest, Capri Bryant, was born on June 20, 2019. Despite a brief marital dispute that almost ended in divorce, Vanessa and Kobe spent many happy years together.

Sadly, Kobe passed away in 2020 after he and his daughter, Gianna, was involved in a helicopter crash. All the passengers of the vehicle, including the pilot, tragically passed away, and Kobe’s family was understandably devastated. Following his passing, the athlete left his wife their $2.6 million mansion.

The basketball legend left his wife their luxurious 3-bedroom mansion in Irvine, California. The beautiful Tuscan-style home features countless impressive details, including, but not limited to, a breathtaking 210-degree view of the surrounding areas and pristine decor that gives the property a clean and homey feel.

After her husband’s death, Vanessa was also embroiled in a controversy regarding her mother’s living arrangements.

The 2,400-square-foot home is located in the gated community of Turtle Ridge. The lot is 10,000 square feet and offers clear views of the ocean, the mountains, and the city lights. The property is at the end of a cul-de-sac, offering privacy and solitude, while the house has everything needed to enjoy the splendid views.

The home’s entryway is an inviting gated courtyard that opens up onto a charming foyer. There’s also a formal dining room to entertain guests or get together for a family meal, and the house also has a private side courtyard. The kitchen offers a sizeable granite-topped island, numerous appliances, and even a breakfast nook.

The elegant decor makes the home a delight to relax in, with calming white walls and stylish furnishings throughout. The master suite offers far-reaching views of the area and comes with a spacious walk-in closet and a dual-vanity bathroom. Although the single-story home only has three bedrooms, it makes up for it with its backyard.

Families can spend weekends languishing in the beautifully landscaped backyard or invite guests over to enjoy the transcendent view beneath the comfortable pergola. A verdant garden surrounds the yard, giving the property a natural feel. A built-in barbecue offers residents the option to have a lovely weekend cookout.

Although Vanessa sold her California mansion, the family has owned numerous on the Newport Coast. After her husband’s death, Vanessa was also embroiled in a controversy regarding her mother’s living arrangements. Sofia Laine, Kobe’s mother-in-law, stepped forward in 2020, talking to Univision about how her daughter kicked her out of her house.

The devastated Sofia claimed Vanessa came to her not long after Kobe’s death and told her to move out of the house she was staying in, which Vanessa owned. Apparently, the daughter also asked her mother to return the car she had been using, with Sofia noting, “She told me, ‘I need you to get out of this house.’ She also told me that she wanted her car and she wants it now.”

Sofia spoke out about her daughter’s demands on the Spanish television show “El Gorda y La Flaca,” tearing up during her interview with Dave Valadez. Apparently, Vanessa’s actions were extremely baffling, since she and Sofia had shared a close mother-daughter bond for years, and even Kobe adored his mother-in-law.

Although it seemed rash to kick out her own mother, a source close to Vanessa spoke to PEOPLE, saying the wife of the late sports star had been dealing with her grief for a while. She needed some space to process the loss of her husband, and she needed to do so on her own. The source explained:

“She is never alone. There is always someone with her: family, friends, people who really care for her. She has times of weakness like you would expect, but she’s also very strong. She’s very determined that she will raise the other daughters in a way that they will be okay. And that she will be okay.”

It’s unknown where Sofia lives after being evicted, although reports indicate that Vanessa and her children are still living in Newport, only a few miles away from the Turtle Ridge mansion she sold. Apparently, the mother now resides in a five-bedroom, six-bathroom home with her three daughters, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.

Although she has sold some of Kobe’s property and seems to be moving on with life, Vanessa has not forgotten about her late husband or the daughter she lost. Vanessa shared a photo of her and Kobe on her Instagram to mark his 45th birthday. The snap showed her kissing the athlete on the cheek, and the caption read:

“Happy 45th birthday, baby. I love you always & forever. ❤️ #82378.”

The post contained a slew of images showing Kobe and his wife out on the town and enjoying each other’s company. Those close to Vanessa have also shared that she hasn’t started dating again, and they doubt that she will.