Paul Walker's Daughter Is Stunning Now
Most of us probably remember Paul Walker as Brian O'Conner in the Fast & Furious franchise; the actor appeared alongside Vin Diesel in the famous action films. He also made memorable appearances in She's All That, Pleasantville, and The Young and the Restless, amongst other films (via IMDb). However, Paul's promising career was cut short in 2013 when he was killed in a horrific car accident in California (via the BBC).
When Paul died, he left behind a 15-year-old daughter; Meadow Rain Walker was the product of the actor's relationship with Rebecca Soteros. By all accounts, Meadow and Paul were extremely tight. In fact, she'd recently moved in with her father and he was reportedly thinking about retiring from acting in order to devote his time to her at the time of his death. As Paul reportedly told his family, he wanted to spend as much time with Meadow as possible before she graduated from high school (via Mirror).
So, whatever became of Paul Walker's daughter? It turns out, Meadow has grown up to be an incredibly interesting and passionate young woman.
Paul Walker's daughter was raised by her mother in Hawaii
Meadow Rain Walker was born in 1998 to actor Paul Walker and his girlfriend, Rebecca Soteros; Paul was just 25 at the time. As the Mirror reported, he was keen to focus on his career, and neither he or Rebecca were keen on settling down to raise a family in the traditional way. So, he remained in California where he could put his energy into acting, while Rebecca moved to Hawaii with her newborn daughter.
Even though Paul wasn't always around while Meadow was growing up, he was always involved in his daughter's life. Apparently, he helped support her by sending money — but soon, he began to worry that he was missing out on his child's formative years. As he once told Entertainment Weekly, "My heart was desperate for so many years with the situation with my daughter. She's living in Hawaii and she's there and I'm running here." Additionally, Paul's colleague, Vin Diesel, told Entertainment Weekly his daughter was "always the number one topic we would talk about... it always ultimately came back to family."
Growing up, Meadow Walker shared many outdoor bonding experiences with Paul Walker
Even though Paul Walker didn't live with Meadow Rain Walker throughout her early childhood, it's clear he made an effort to be around as much as possible in between films. As the star told CosmoGirl! in 2003, "I have a daughter and she's been going on camping trips with me recently. It's important to me that she experiences those things and grows while doing all that" (via Yahoo! News).
Paul went on to explain that he was wary about how his fame would affect Meadow as she got older. "I just know that the only way to offset that would be to make the outdoors a key part of her life," he continued.
Apparently, Paul tried to be involved in other ways, too. "Every day I pick her up from school and we go out on a longboard," he told People in 2006. "She really loves it." It sounds like this father-daughter duo really bonded over a love of the great outdoors.
When she was 13, Meadow Walker moved in with Paul Walker
It's clear that Meadow Rain Walker also missed her father, Paul Walker, during her childhood. To that end, when she was 13 years old, she made the decision to move in with Paul. According to the Mirror, Paul was overjoyed. "She's the best partner I've ever had," he once said to Entertainment Weekly. "It's so nuts. I've never had anything like this in life."
During the three years they had living together as father and daughter, Meadow and Paul had to readjust to their new roles. Apparently, Paul started to work less and less as he tried to spend as much time as possible with his daughter. "There's a part of me who feels like I'm making up for lost time," he continued. "I was [like], 'Okay, that's it, I'm not working, leave me alone.'"
But apparently, Meadow would sometimes convince her dad to take new roles, saying, "When does it go? What months? I like to travel in the summertime anyway."
Paul Walker and his daughter had an incredibly close relationship
By all accounts, it's clear that Meadow and Paul Walker became extremely close before his tragic death in 2013. As a close friend told People, "[Paul] told me recently he was the happiest he'd ever been." He added that this change was "directly because of the growing relationship with his daughter and the clarity that brought to his life."
In another interview with WENN, Paul opened up about how their relationship had developed since she moved in with him. "We're really honest with each other which is cool," he explained. "She tells me what her needs are and tries to be a little tougher than I want her to be sometimes. I want her to be more revealing like, 'You're not home enough...' I want her to say those things," the actor confessed (via Yahoo! News). It's clear that Meadow meant the world to the actor — and vice versa, even if she didn't always show it.
Paul Walker had reportedly decided to retire to devote his time to his daughter
Paul Walker had been talking about retiring for a few years in order to spend more time with his daughter, Meadow Rain Walker. As Paul Walker's brothers told E! News, he kept talking about how he only had "five more years until she graduates high school."
According to Caleb Walker, Paul, one of the actor's brothers, came to a final decision about retiring just a few hours before his tragic death. As Caleb explained, Paul had "a spooky, groundbreaking kind of come-to-Jesus" chat with his mother about the future. Apparently, he then called his other brother, Cody Walker, to say, "Meadow's living with me now. I want to retire... I want to be full time for Meadow."
Sadly, Paul's plans were in vain. That same day, he was involved in a horrific car crash that ended his life and cut his relationship with Meadow short.
Paul Walker's daughter was 15 years old when her father died
The 2013 car crash that tragically ended Paul Walker's life was, understandably, devastating for his 15-year-old daughter, Meadow Rain Walker. After Paul's death, his father, Paul Walker Sr. Spoke to ExtraTV about how Meadow was dealing with the tragedy. "We just did a lot of hugging. A lot of hugging," he said sadly. "She's really broken up, really hard."
For Meadow, Paul's death meant she had to undergo a lot of practical changes, too. According to TMZ, the actor left his entire $25 million estate to his daughter. Apparently, Paul stated in his will that his mother be made the official guardian of Meadow. The next year in 2014, Paul's mother apparently filed for custody of her granddaughter, according to Hello! magazine. And shortly after that, according to E! News, the custody battle was resolved without going to court. Meadow moved back in with her mother in California (via Mirror).
Meadow Walker is reportedly estranged from her father's family
In 2019, reports emerged that Meadow Rain Walker was somewhat estranged from Paul Walker's family. As an insider told The Sun, Meadow rarely speaks to her father's family. "The family are heartbroken about the whole thing," the source revealed. "It brings them to tears just thinking about it." According to this report, Meadow has "shut everybody out," including her father's brothers and his mother. However, the family is reportedly hoping she will reconnect with them one day.
The year before, Paul's brothers, Caleb and Cody Walker, spoke to E! News about a documentary called I Am Paul Walker. As the brothers confessed, over 100 members of Paul's family were involved — but Meadow wasn't. However, it seems that she would have been welcome. "She's a reserved young lady," Caleb revealed. "She's on the shyer, more reserved side."
Caleb went on to clarify that the family respected her decision. "Obviously we would've loved to have her in it, but she wasn't ready," he continued. It sounds like Meadow is always welcome when it comes to Paul's family — but she may prefer to keep her distance.
Meadow Walker sued Porsche after her father's death
After her father's death, Meadow Rain Walker spearheaded a lawsuit against car company Porsche. According to ABC News, the lawsuit was settled in 2015. Apparently, Meadow claimed that the company was responsible for her father's death. In the lawsuit, Meadow said that the car's engine and poor safety made it dangerous. The suit also claimed that a faulty seatbelt design meant that her father had been trapped in the car for a minute and 20 seconds after the crash.
At the time of the lawsuit, Meadow's lawyer, Jeff Milam said, "The bottom line is that the Porsche Carrera GT is a dangerous car." It's clear that Meadow was keen to make those she saw as responsible for the accident own up to their mistakes.
The next year, it was revealed that Meadow received $7.2 million of a $10 million settlement, as noted by TMZ. And as Teen Vogue reported, certain fans of the car company weren't particularly pleased with the result. In fact, Meadow reportedly received a fair amount of online abuse from Porsche fans after the case.
Paul Walker's daughter lives a pretty luxurious lifestyle
After inheriting her father's entire estate of around $25 million, it comes as no surprise that Meadow Rain Walker has been able to live a pretty luxurious lifestyle. Based on her personal Instagram page, Meadow is constantly living the high life. In one post from November 2020, she can be seen on what looks like a private yacht, swimming in the ocean. In another post she was seen hanging out sunbathing with Kaia Gerber, the model daughter of the iconic Cindy Crawford. Talk about having friends in high places!
Based on another snap from Meadow's personal Instagram account, she seems to have a large home with her own pool. It seems that this young lady lives the same lavish lifestyle that many other sons and daughters of Hollywood's elite do. And in yet another post, Meadow wrote simply, "Pajama day" alongside an image of herself walking the streets in her pjs — talk about living a laid-back lifestyle!
Meadow Walker is a vocal activist
While it's clear that Meadow Rain Walker enjoys a privileged lifestyle, she also seems to give back to society whenever she can. For one, in 2020, she posted an image on Instagram of her time volunteering in Ghana. "It was an absolute pleasure and they were two of the best weeks of my life," she wrote in the caption. "I am so so excited to be working with @pencilsofpromise to build a school in Ghana, Guatemala, or Laos." She added, "I am beyond blessed to be able to use the @paulwalkerfdn to Do Good and make a difference in the world."
According to the official website, Pencils of Promise is an organization that aims to construct and support new classrooms in Ghana. Apparently, Meadow's contributions have made the mission possible in Jasikan, Ghana.
Based on Meadow's Instagram bio, she's also spearheaded a movement called Everyone's Invited, which is "committed to tackling cultures of sexual violence." It seems that Paul Walker's daughter has a very strong social conscience.
Meadow Walker launched the Paul Walker Foundation in honor of her dad
In addition to Meadow Rain Walker's work for Pencils of Promise, she's also closely involved with the Paul Walker Foundation. "Reflecting on my father, I found myself reflecting on his passions," she announced in a 2015 Instagram post. "His passion for the ocean, his passion for rescuing animals, his passion for helping people, and his passion for spontaneous goodwill." She went on to announce that she'd be launching the Paul Walker Foundation on his birthday. As she put it, "I can't think of a better way to celebrate my father."
According to the official website for the foundation, one of the main focuses is protecting the planet's oceans. And as Meadow once said on the website, this was also a personal passion. "Growing up in Hawaii I developed a strong connection with the ocean," she explained. "My father loved the ocean, and was always teaching me new things." This sounds like an amazing project and one that Meadow's father would certainly be proud of.
Paul Walker's daughter is still close with Vin Diesel's family
Paul Walker was famous for his starring role in the Fast & Furious franchise; Paul starred alongside Vin Diesel in the films. And while Meadow Rain Walker allegedly may not be incredibly close with Paul's family, it seems that she's still very close with Vin Diesel and his family. In 2019, Vin posted a sweet photo of Meadow with his daughter, writing, "I could say that i am so proud of the person you are becoming... but the truth is I have always been proud of you. Happy Birthday Meadow!" He signed off the message, "Uncle Vin."
It seems that Meadow really does see Vin and his family and members of her own family. In a since-deleted Instagram post with the clan in 2020, she wrote, "Family forever" (via Metro). And in another post with Vin's daughter, Meadow wrote, "With my angel." It's clear that the Diesel family have totally embraced Meadow.
Meadow Walker still misses her dad, but doesn't like to talk about it publicly
One thing is very clear: Meadow Rain Walker continues to miss her dad, Paul Walker, and honor his memory. For instance, in 2020, she posted a sweet photo of her napping with her dad, and wrote, "Today's a celebration of the love and happiness you brought to the world. Here's a photo of my best bud and I napping." Additionally, Meadow posted a snap of her with her dad as a baby, writing, "The moment I realized we are twins. Happy birthday to the most beautiful soul."
In an interview with E! News, Paul's brothers, Caleb and Cody Walker, explained that while Meadow didn't want to be involved with the documentary I Am Paul Walker, she has indeed seen the film. Her reaction? "Paul was a lot of things to a lot of people," Cody explained. "It's tough because being the daughter that grew up in a non-traditional type of household with a dad she had to share with the world is really difficult." He added, "She's dealing with it in her own way as everybody has done." We don't blame her.
Paul Walker's daughter became a model
Meadow Rain Walker really is all grown up these days. In fact, she's even pursuing her own career in the modeling world. Over the years, Meadow has posted several images that appear to be modeling shots. For instance, in 2020, she shared a photo taken by a New York photographer. Additionally, according to her Instagram bio, Meadow is signed with the DNA Models agency. The agency announced that she'd joined the team in 2021.
Also in 2021, Meadow revealed that she'd be modeling as the new face of the Proenza Schouler Pre-Fall campaign. In an Instagram post featuring an image from the campaign, she wrote, "I am so unbelievably grateful to everyone who has supported me and believed in me." Meadow later made her runway debut with Givenchy during Paris Fashion Week in March 2021, as People reported.
Meadow's modeling career is clearly off to a great start — and we're sure her father would be incredibly proud to see just how far she has come.