Who Was Vince Zampella's Wife? What We Know About 'COD' Creator's Ex, Brigitte, And Their Three Kids

The entertainment world is in mourning over the sudden passing of Vince Zampella, one of the most influential figures in modern gaming. The 55-year-old, best known as the curator of the legendary Call of Duty game series, was reported to have died following a car crash on Sunday, December 21, 2025, on Southern California’s Angeles Crest Highway, at around 12:45 p.m. (local time). 

While authorities have not publicly released all details and names, preliminary investigation indicated that the vehicle was travelling southbound on the Angeles Crest Highway when it “veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier, and became fully engulfed”. While the passenger was thrown off the vehicle, a 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS, the driver reportedly remained trapped. Both the driver and a passenger were said to have died from their injuries.

Zampella’s death was first confirmed by KNBC, after which his company, Respawn Entertainment, shared the news in a statement on social media. Investigators have stated the cause of the crash remains under review, and it is unclear whether drugs or alcohol played a role.

Who was Vince Zampella?

Zampella was called a titan of modern gaming for his extraordinary influence on the medium over the past two decades. After co-founding Infinity Ward with Jason West and Grant Collier in 2002, he helped launch Call of Duty the following year. This game went on to become one of the highest-grossing franchises of all time, with over 400 million registered users worldwide, as of 2025.

Zampella co-founded Respawn Entertainment in 2010, where he championed creative freedom to help release iconic hits such as Titanfall, Apex Legends, and the Star Wars Jedi series. In 2017, the company was acquired by Electronic Arts for USD 455 million. Zampella later took on a broader leadership role across EA’s shooter franchises, including Battlefield.

In memory of his immeasurable contribution, Respawn remembered Zampella as a “titan and legend” who believed that players and developers always came first. Its statement on social media, shared after his death, can be read as:

“Vince was a titan and legend of this industry, a visionary leader and a force who shaped teams and games like Call of Duty, Titanfall, Apex Legends, the Star Wars Jedi series, and Battlefield for our community in ways that will be felt for generations. His impact reached far beyond any one game or studio…he championed what he believed was right for the people behind those studios and our players because it mattered.”

Who was Vince Zampella’s wife? The reason behind their divorce

Despite his immensely popular persona, Vince Zampella kept his personal life largely out of the public eye, except for occasional coverage of his career. The creator was married to Brigitte Zampella for 18 years and had three children together before they amicably split in 2015. Not much information is available about Brigitte and the kids.

Picture Courtesy: Tara Rochelle Photography

Brigitte was reportedly the one who filed for divorce in 2015 in California, citing irreconcilable differences. According to court filings and a TMZ report, Brigitte sought primary custody of their children, who were minors at the time of the filing. She also sought spousal support. Their split was reported to be amicable, with no evidence of a prenuptial agreement or other public dispute. 

Picture Courtesy: Tara Rochelle Photography

Very little is known about Vince Zampella’s children or their current whereabouts. Throughout his career, Zampella made a deliberate effort to keep his family out of the public eye and rarely spoke about them in interviews. He is survived by three children, whose names and ages have not been publicly disclosed to protect their privacy.

The gaming world mourns Vince Zampella

Beyond his private family life, Vince Zampella built a second family through his work. His legacy lives on through his studios, fellow creators, and the millions of gamers worldwide who grew up playing his games. Apex Legends voice artist Mela Lee thanked Zampella for changing her life. Remembering the kind soul, Lee wrote:

“Gutted and heartbroken. Thank you, Vince. My life has been forever changed for the better for the incredible experience that Apex has been. The incredible family that we have because of it. Your incredible kindness and support since day one.”

Social media feeds are now flooded with heartbreaking tributes to the legendary developer. One X user wrote, “Call of Duty and Apex Legends are now orphans”, while many others thanked Zampella for his life-altering impact on their growing years and for providing the “much-needed joy and escapism”. 

The internet today is thanking Vince Zampella, the legendary creator, whose creation helped millions worldwide through tough times in the past two decades. Rest in peace, legend!

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