Sophia Michaels
Kobe Bryant’s father, Joe Bryant, passed away at the age of 69 after a stroke. Joe and Kobe had a strained and complicated relationship. Joe did not approve of Kobe marrying Vanessa Bryant in 2001 and did not attend their wedding. However, there were moments of reconciliation, especially when Joe coached the Los Angeles Sparks, and they attended a Lakers championship game together in 2010.
In 2013, a significant rift occurred when Joe and Pam Bryant tried to sell Kobe’s memorabilia without his knowledge, leading to a lawsuit and an apology from Joe and Pam. This incident irreversibly changed their relationship.
Kobe and Joe’s Strained Relationship
In 2016, Kobe openly discussed his rocky relationship with his parents, particularly due to the memorabilia incident. He felt used by his parents for financial gain and criticized their actions. The strained dynamics between Kobe and Joe remained apparent until Kobe’s tragic death in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
While tributes poured in for Kobe after his death, Joe remained silent, leaving their relationship status unclear. Despite reports from Kobe’s coach indicating a possible reconciliation, Joe’s silence raised questions about the true state of their relationship.
