January 26 marks five years since the tragic death of Kobe Bryant. The Los Angeles Lakers idol left behind a legacy of excellence and commitment in the NBA, but he also left behind a significant fortune under the care of his wife, Vanessa Bryant.
Bryant and his eldest daughter, Gianna, died in a helicopter crash along with seven other passengers. The accident shocked the NBA and the sports world at large. Personalities from all walks of life rushed to send their condolences and pay tribute to the five-time NBA champion.
Bryant’s career spanned 20 years, playing exclusively for the Lakers. He signed his rookie contract in 1996 for three years and $3.5 million. His final contract was a two-season veteran’s extension worth $48.5 million.
Kobe Bryant’s net worth
From the five contracts he signed with the Lakers alone, Kobe pocketed over $328 million, according to Spotrac. Adding the lucrative endorsements he signed throughout his career, Forbes estimated his net worth at the time of his death to be $770 million.
However, more recent estimates from specialized sites such as Celebrity Net Worth, Essentially Sports, and Forbes itself put this figure at $600 million. The former Lakers star placed his fortune in a trust, naming his wife, Vanessa, as the beneficiary.
The terms of the trust state that Vanessa can withdraw from the assets to provide for her family, which includes her surviving daughters, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri. Upon Vanessa’s death, the remainder of the estate will pass to Natalia and Bianka. Kobe’s untimely death prevented him from including Capri in the trust.
Kobe Bryant’s other income
Throughout his career and even after retirement, the “Black Mamba” signed endorsements with brands such as Coca-Cola, Hublot, Turkish Airlines, Nike, Panini, and the video game Guitar Hero. In 2016, the Lakers’ great and entrepreneur Jeff Stibel created a $100 million VC fund to invest in technology, media, and data companies.
Bryant’s unexpected death sent shock waves throughout the sports world. However, his long-term vision and foresight allowed him to leave his family well protected.