A vehicle body structure is configured to convert a lateral-impact input to an input that acts on a pillar member in substantially a vertical direction of the vehicle body. The vehicle body structure has an input conversion structure configured to convert a side-impact input that acts inwardly on the pillar member in a substantially horizontal direction from the vehicle exterior to an input that is applied to the pillar member in the vertical direction of the vehicle body. Thus, the side-impact input can be converted as an input that is applied to the pillar member in the vertical direction of the vehicle body, so that the input can be absorbed as a compression load applied to the pillar member in the longitudinal direction, and deformation into the passenger compartment can be minimized.