
Vanessa and Kobe Bryant during his 2003 sexual assualt scandal.
Breaking News: Vanessa Bryant has filed for divorce from husband Kobe Bryant, of the LA Lakers, bringing an abrupt end to their ten-year marriage — a marriage that, as many of you know, was plagued with controversy, scandal, and frequent rumors of his infidelity. According to TMZ.com, Vanessa filed divorce papers this afternoon citing “irreconcilable differences”. These differences, most of America can assume, would be his many alleged infidelities.
Sources say Vanessa suspects Kobe has cheated, again, and after standing by him in 2003 when he was accused of sexually assaulting a Colorado woman, she’s really had it this time. And, can you blame her? I for one felt she showed tremendous courage back then when she publicly stood beside a man who admitted to cheating on her with a woman who was later found to have slept with as many as six men in one evening. I love my husband, but I can’t say that I could forgive and forget such a blatant disrespect to our vows. Yet, Vanessa chose to forgive, and forget. (Many say that 4-million-dollar “I’m sorry” ring he gave her helped a bit.) If Kobe did in fact step out on his lovely wife, yet again, he won’t get any sympathy points from me today. A woman can only stand so much. Loving a man, marrying him, and committing to a life with him, don’t mean you’re doomed to endure his bullshit ‘til death do you part. Cheating once and having it become public knowledge was humiliating enough – having to endure that once more is likely the straw that broke the camel’s back on this one. Kobe obviously took her trust and support for granted – again. Vanessa’s had it. I get that. Good for her!
What do you ladies think? Could you forgive your husband for an indiscretion? If you did it once, could you do it again? What would he have to do to earn your trust again?
To learn more about my thoughts on adultery, read my Open Letter to Homewreckers now.