Vanessa Bryant files for Divorce

Kobe Bryant's wife has filed for divorce ... TMZ has learned.

Vanessa Bryant filed legal docs Friday afternoon, citing "irreconcilable differences."

Sources connected with the couple tell TMZ ... Vanessa -- who stuck by Kobe after he was charged with sexually assaulting a Colorado woman in 2003 -- decided to end the marriage because she believes Kobe has been unfaithful ... again.

As one source puts it, "She's been dealing with these incidents for a long time and has been a faithful wife, but she's finally had enough," adding, "This one is the straw that broke the camel's back."

And our sources say ... Kobe "desperately" wants to win Vanessa back and will do "whatever it takes" to save their 10 1/2 year marriage.

According to the legal docs, Vanessa is asking for joint custody of their 2 daughters -- 8-year-old Natalia and 5-year-old Giana -- but Vanessa is asking that Kobe get visitation rights, which means she wants the kids in her care most of the time.

We've learned the couple has NO PRENUP, so 29-year-old Vanessa is entitled to half of the empire Kobe built over the last decade.

She's also requesting spousal support ... which is typical in divorce cases. Kobe, who filed his response to the divorce minutes after Vanessa filed her petition, says he will pay her spousal support.

According to the docs, Vanessa is being repped by disso-queen Laura Wasser and attorney Samantha Klein. Wasser reps oodles of celebs, including Britney Spears, Angelina Jolie, Maria Shriver and Kim Kardashian.

Kobe went to the Jay-Z concert Tuesday night in L.A. without Vanessa, and people who saw him there say he looked miserable.

Vanessa signed the divorce petition on December 1. Kobe signed his response on December 7.

Oh yeah, that $4 million ring Kobe gave Vanessa after the 2003 scandal .... It's all hers. A gift is a gift.

http://www.tmz.com/2011/12/16/kobe-brya ... uviC9TOxLc

http://www.tmz.com/2011/12/16/kobe-brya ... uviC9TOxLc

Does anyone have a guesstimate on how much Kobe's "Empire" is worth? All together?

I just don't understand why these rich and famous athletes get married in the first place. Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Kobe, etc. There is obviously a lot of temptation out there with women throwing themselves at them, why even get married? All it ends up doing is screwing them in the wallet.

This crap wouldn't be happening if these athletes keep their willy in their pants. They new that getting married and having kids was a compromise for life. "Till' death do us part". I mean he has kids and a wife to go home to everyday. Why would you feel more bad about Kobe going through this ordeal, than his wife who has passed through the same situation already. I'm actually applauding Vanessa(If this true) for finally standing up for herself and leaving such a horrible marriage.

I know that women that marry athletes need to be aware that there will be cheating involved someway or another. But I mean cmon. We as men need to grow up and learn how treat and care for a family.

And here I am wondering why there is less working marriages than there is working. Sigh....

I pray to God that this gets resolved quick because there goes another marriage to add to the divorce statistics.

I hope this doesn't interfere with our team.

Wow, I'd be miserable too if I was about to lose half of my money. Live and learn Kobe! Amazing. Vanessa didn't do a thing and is set for about 2 or 3 lifetimes.

lol,

Man, the sh*t never stops for the Kobe worshippers.

Kobe proposed marriage. Kobe went, a married man went into that hotel room in Colorado, Kobe didn't learn, not from what happend, not from his inifidelity. He went right back at.

Once again, for seemingly the millionth time, a Kobe problem caused by Kobe.

Once again, Kobe shows for the millionth time, again and again, exactly what he is, a vain, selfish, irresponsible jerk who has feelings for nobody but his own gold plated royal *ss, and we feel bad for Kobe.

Gee, wonder how you would feel if your wives, husbands or girlfriends did to you, what Kobe did to Vanessa. Bet you wouldn't feel so sorry for them, huh?

Hey, here is thought for all those who feel bad for Kobe, when the poor, downtrodden, misunderstood guy is done with the divorce he brought on by cheating, why don't you sign over your money and property to him?

That way, you can better express the love and concern for him, the way he always ends up getting shafted by those around him, despite the fact that the god is such a nice and personable fellow.

And while your at, kneel down, get up close between his legs and do what you do best.

And when you are doing it, if Kobe doesn't respond or react, don't feel bad, don't feel neglected or slighted by the great Kobe, because for Kobe you don't exist, in his world, only he does.

I for one feel bad for any man that gets trapped by a female and has to pay her half of his hard earned money she had nothing to do with.

Oh, Kobe proposed to Vanessa. Kobe went in that Colorado room. Kobe had a chance to stop doing that. Kobe didn't. He kept doing it, to his wife.

And you say HE was trapped? lol. Wow, thats just amazing. I don't think in all my life I have ever heard thinking along those lines before.

Well Kight, I guess I can only say you have a novel way of looking at events.

Damn. That B**** gets half =(. At least Lamar signed a prenup with Khloe, same with Kris Hump and Kim K, but then again wen Kobe got married he was jus a youngin

Give me a break. Kobe proposed, Kobe cheated over and over and all you can talk about is unfairness to Kobe and Kobe being trapped?

Absolutly amazing. Beyond description. Oblivious.

Now this is not good for Kobe. It will mess up his game just like it messed up Tiger Woods. I have not heard any details as to what caused Venessa to ask for a devorce, but it is true that women just throw themselves at these athletes.

Isn't it amazing how much power a women has over men with high test0starone levels. The brain has trouble controlling that body from letting him get in trouble.

ONCE AGAIN FOR THOSE WHO CANT THINK: WHAT EVER HAPPENS TO KOBE, ITS HIS FAULT.

Knight, my bad. I thought it was Kobe who proposed to Vanessa then cheated on her. But I see from your comments it must have been the other way around.