Vanessa Bryant opens up about Kobe’s dad Joe’s death: ‘Hoped things would’ve been different’

Vanessa Bryant mourned the passing of her father-in-law, Joe Bryant, on Tuesday afternoon. 

The father of the late Kobe Bryant died at the age of 69 after recently suffering a massive stroke, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

“Sending our condolences upon hearing the news of my father-in-law’s passing,” she wrote on her Instagram Story. “We hoped things would’ve been different. Although the times we spent together were few, he was always sweet and nice to be around. Kobe loved him very much. Our prayers go out to family.”

Vanessa’s tribute to Joe seemingly hinted at the fraught relationship between Kobe and his parents, which became strained during his Hall of Fame career with the Lakers. 

Kobe and Vanessa were married in 2001 without the approval of Joe and Kobe’s mom Pamela, who didn’t attend the wedding. 

In 2013, Kobe and his parents had another falling out after Pam attempted to auction off more than $1.5 million in memorabilia belonging to the Lakers star. 

Kobe, per The Sun, had tried to rebuild his relationship with his father and mother before tragically passing away in a helicopter accident with his daughter, Gigi Bryant, in California on Jan. 26, 2020.

Joe, nicknamed “Jellybean” during his basketball playing days, was the 14th overall pick by the Warriors in the 1975 draft.

His draft rights would be traded to his hometown 76ers less than four months later.

Joe played eight NBA seasons for the 76ers, the then-San Diego Clippers and the Rockets. 

After his NBA career, he played for several teams in Italy and France and later coached several teams in the U.S. and abroad, including the Los Angeles Sparks from 2005-07 and La Salle University from 1993-96.

“We are saddened to announce the passing of La Salle basketball great Joe Bryant,” the LaSalle men’s basketball team said in a post on X following his death.