When we talk about the late, great Kobe Bryant, most people immediately think of the five championship rings or that legendary 81-point game against Toronto. But if you really followed him—like, actually watched the guy outside of the Staples Center—you know the title he cared about most wasn't "MVP." It was "Girl Dad."
Honestly, it’s a phrase that became a movement because of him.
But for those who just catch the headlines or see the murals around LA, there’s often a bit of confusion. How many kids does Kobe Bryant have? Did he ever have a son to carry on that basketball jersey? What are the girls doing now that they've grown up so much?
Let’s get into the heart of the Bryant family.
The Short Answer: Kobe’s Four Daughters
Kobe and his wife, Vanessa Bryant, had four daughters. No sons. And he was perfectly fine with that, even if fans and friends used to tease him about it constantly.
He once famously told Extra that his friends would say, "It takes a real man to make a boy," and Kobe’s response was pure Mamba: "I'm like, 'Dude, it takes a king to make a princess... get in line.'"
Here is the breakdown of the Bryant sisters:
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- Natalia Diamante Bryant (Born: January 19, 2003)
- Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant (Born: May 1, 2006 – Passed: January 26, 2020)
- Bianka Bella Bryant (Born: December 5, 2016)
- Capri Kobe Bryant (Born: June 20, 2019)
It’s kinda wild to think about the age gaps. Natalia and Gianna were the "older" duo who saw the height of Kobe’s Lakers fame. Meanwhile, Bianka and Capri—fondly called "B.B." and "KoKo"—were born after he retired. They represent a version of Kobe that was just... Dad. The guy who did the school runs and watched Disney movies instead of film sessions.
Natalia Bryant: The Trailblazer
Natalia is 23 now (as of early 2026). She’s really stepped into her own, which has to be incredibly tough given the spotlight. She graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) with a degree in film, which actually makes a lot of sense if you remember Kobe won an Oscar for Dear Basketball.
She’s not a basketball player, though.
She played volleyball in high school and was actually quite good at it, but she eventually decided to move away from competitive sports. In a Teen Vogue interview, she was super honest about it, saying she just didn't love it as much as her dad and sister loved basketball. Instead, she’s signed with IMG Models and has worked with huge names like Versace and Chanel.
She’s the rock of that family. You see her at the statue unveilings and the tributes, usually standing right next to Vanessa, keeping things together for her younger sisters.
The Legacy of Gianna "Gigi" Bryant
We can’t talk about Kobe's kids without talking about Gigi. She was the one. The "Mambacita."
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If you ever saw clips of her playing, the resemblance to Kobe’s game was eerie. The fadeaway, the footwork, the absolute intensity—it was all there. Kobe actually started watching NBA games again because of her. He said he hadn’t watched much after retiring, but Gigi's passion for the game brought him back to the courtside seats.
Tragically, Gianna passed away alongside her father in the helicopter crash in January 2020. She was only 13. At the time, they were on their way to a game at the Mamba Sports Academy.
People always asked Kobe if he needed a son to keep the legacy alive. He’d tell the story of how fans would come up to him in front of Gigi and say, "You gotta have a boy, you gotta have somebody to carry on the tradition."
And Gigi would just step up and say, "I got this."
She really did. Today, the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation continues her mission, focusing on giving underserved girls the same opportunities in sports that she had.
The Little Ones: Bianka and Capri
Then you have the "babies."
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Bianka Bella is 9 years old now. She’s often the one you see in Vanessa’s Instagram videos with a huge personality. There was a heartwarming moment back in 2024 where she threw out the first pitch at a Dodgers game wearing her dad’s number 24. She’s got that same athletic spark, but for now, she’s just being a kid.
Capri Kobe Bryant is the youngest, turning 7 this year. She was just a few months old when the accident happened. It’s bittersweet, honestly. She’s named after her dad, and she’s growing up seeing his face on murals all over Los Angeles. Vanessa often shares photos of "KoKo" looking like Kobe’s literal twin.
Why "Girl Dad" Still Matters
Kobe changed the conversation about being a father to daughters. In a world where some athletes are obsessed with having a "junior" to follow in their footsteps, Kobe leaned entirely into being a protector and mentor to his girls.
He didn't just attend their games; he coached them. He didn't just talk about women’s sports; he showed up at WNBA games and pushed for better funding and visibility.
Basically, he showed that a legacy isn't about a last name on the back of a jersey—it's about the "Mamba Mentality" you instill in your children, regardless of gender.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re looking to support the legacy that Kobe and Gigi started, the best way is through the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation. They do incredible work providing funding for youth sports and supporting young women in athletics.
You can also keep an eye out for Natalia’s upcoming film projects. She’s mentioned wanting to stay behind the camera as much as in front of it, and seeing a Bryant win another Oscar someday wouldn't be the most surprising thing in the world.
The Bryant family's story is one of immense grief, but it’s also one of incredible resilience. Whether it’s through fashion, film, or the next generation of athletes, those four girls are the real legacy of No. 24.