Paul Walker's Daughter Is Stunning Now
Most of us remember Paul Walker best for his role as Brian O'Conner in the "Fast & Furious" franchise. The actor appeared alongside actor and friend Vin Diesel in seven of the famous action films. If you didn't know him as Brian, you might've been familiar with Paul's other work — he made memorable appearances in "She's All That," "Pleasantville," and "The Young and the Restless," among other projects. Sadly, Paul's promising career was cut short in 2013 when he was tragically killed in a car accident.
Paul left behind one daughter, Meadow Rain Walker. By all accounts, the actor and his daughter were extremely close. "I love and miss you endlessly," Meadow wrote on the eighth anniversary of his death. "Today and every day I celebrate your life, your love. And you, my best friend." But whatever became of the actor's daughter? As it turns out, Meadow has grown up to be an incredibly interesting and passionate woman — one Paul would undoubtedly be proud of.
Meadow Walker spent her childhood in Hawaii with her mom
Meadow Walker's parents, Paul Walker and Rebecca Soteros, weren't married or planning to get married when Meadow was born — something that they were both okay with as their young daughter grew up. Meadow was born in Los Angeles, but she and her mom moved to Hawaii when she was young, despite the fact that Paul stayed behind in California to build his career.
Paul later told WENN that it was difficult to live so far from his daughter at the time but expressed that he wasn't ready to get married. "I was one of those ones who believed when you get married it's forever. But I was thinking down the road. I knew where I was at with chicks and having fun ... I was an animal."
Unlike Paul and now Meadow herself, Soteros hasn't lived life in the spotlight and reportedly works as a teacher. In 2013, Paul told People that Meadow inherited traits from both of her parents. As he put it, "She's a bit more like her mother [Rebecca], but she's also how I am innately. [Meadow]'s more of a free roamer and she appreciates the little stuff."
Paul and Meadow Walker became closer as Meadow grew older
Around the age of 11, Meadow Walker wanted to move closer to her dad in Los Angeles so the two relocated to California. In March 2014, Entertainment Weekly reported that Meadow and her mom lived in Santa Barbara from 2011 to 2013 and even lived with Paul's mother, Cheryl Ann Walker, "on and off" while house-hunting.
Earlier, People reported Paul offered both Meadow and his ex one of his homes in Los Angeles following Rebecca and their daughter's move from Hawaii. By 2013, though, Paul confirmed to People, "My daughter lives with me full time now and she's the best partner I've ever had."
Following the big move, Paul had expressed his surprise that his daughter was growing up. As he told People, having an almost-teen in the house meant he had to adjust his expectations as a parent. He said, "You don't get as much feedback as a couple years ago. You ask a question and get a two-word answer, so there's a little frustration with that. But if I just shut up and sit back, she opens up and reveals a whole lot — the trick is to just listen."
Vin Diesel is Meadow Walker's godfather
Meadow Walker has a close relationship with many of her father's former "Fast & Furious" co-stars — most notably with Vin Diesel. In fact, the actor is her godfather. Diesel told E! News in 2021 that he and Paul had been friends for over a decade before his death. He said, "On a personal level, we started this franchise together. Alongside us starting the franchise, we started a brotherhood. Our brotherhood will outlast the franchise."
While speaking with Extra, he sang Meadow's praises. As the actor explained, it's clear that the two have a parent-child relationship of their own. After saying that Meadow is often the first person who sends him happy wishes on Father's Day, he added, "To see her with my children is one of the most beautiful things. There are moments when I see her playing with Pauline, and it hits me so deep because I can only imagine what my brother sees when he sees that."
Meadow was just 15 when her father died
On November 30, 2013, Paul Walker died suddenly when the car he was traveling in crashed and exploded. His death was naturally unexpected and tragic, especially as Meadow Walker was only 15 when her dad passed away.
The years that followed were likely difficult ones for the teen. Two years after her father's death, she filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Porsche, the maker of the car that Paul was driving. In her suit, Meadow alleged that both the engine of the car and a lack of specific safety features made it impossible for her father to survive the crash.
As reported by ABC News, the lawsuit claimed that the seatbelt made it impossible for Paul to exit the vehicle before it caught fire. Additionally, court documents stated that Porsche "[knew] that the Carrera GT had a history of instability and control issues." The documents further alleged that Porsche "failed to install its electronic stability control system ... specifically designed to protect against the swerving actions inherent in hyper-sensitive vehicles of this type." Ultimately, Porsche settled the lawsuit with Meadow.
She became a philanthropist
Since her father's death, Meadow Walker has worked to keep his memory and contributions alive. In 2015, she started the Paul Walker Foundation, announcing the news on her father's birthday. Meadow shared a childhood photo of herself and her father on Instagram, where she explained her motivation for the foundation.
Meadow explained that she hoped to highlight the many interests and concerns her father once had. "I wanted to start this foundation because I want to share that piece of him with the world. I want to share that part of him with others," she wrote in part. As of this writing, the foundation partners with individuals and organizations to protect oceans and marine life.
Meadow is a philanthropist who partners with organizations besides her own, too. According to her Instagram account, she is a Champion of UNFPA, a branch of the United Nations that focuses on reproductive and sexual health, and a global ambassador for both marine conservation organization Innoceana and the education non-profit, Pencils of Promise.
Meadow entered the modeling industry
As an adult, Meadow Walker has stepped out of her late father's shadow and begun to build her own career in the modeling world. Meadow signed with DNA Models back in 2017, a decision that put her on the trajectory to work full-time as a model. In 2021, she scored her first-ever modeling campaign when she joined forces with Proenza Schouler for the brand's Pre-Fall offerings.
Since that campaign, Meadow has continued to work in the industry and is well-connected with a number of domestic and international brands. In March 2023, she became a brand ambassador for Givenchy Beauty. Meadow shared a photo of the campaign on Instagram, captioning it, "WOW! Another dream come true!!" Meadow went on to thank both the French luxury brand and the modeling agency for which she works. "One year in the making and we're just getting started. ... Thank you to my whole Givenchy Beauty family for being so loyal."
Meadow got married in October 2021
In October 2021, Meadow Walker and Louis Thornton-Allan said "I do." The ceremony was attended by Paul Walker's "Fast & Furious" co-stars, including Vin Diesel and Jordanna Brewster. Diesel even stepped in to walk Meadow down the aisle.
Meadow shared the big news on Instagram, where she also posted a video clip of the ceremony. The post came after a separate video shared by the model on the same platform months earlier, when she appeared to be wearing a diamond ring. The two had gone public with their relationship a month prior.
Many fans of the franchise had emotional reactions to Diesel stepping in for Paul during Meadow's wedding. In June 2021, a source revealed to Us Weekly that Meadow is very close to Diesel's family. As the source put it, "She counts Vin and his kids as family and will talk to them on days she's struggling, and she has their backs too."
Meadow Walker had a cameo in 'Fast X'
Fans long speculated that Meadow Walker would one day pay tribute to her dad by appearing in a "Fast & Furious" film. That finally came true when Meadow appeared in "Fast X" in 2023. While her scene is a relatively brief one, she serves a crucial role in the film.
In May 2023, Meadow confirmed her role in the film via an Instagram post, in which she shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her scene as a flight attendant. "The first Fast was released when I was one year old! I grew up on set watching my father, Vin, Jordana, Michelle, Chris and more on the monitors," she wrote. "Thanks to my dad, I was born into the Fast family. I can't believe now I get to be up there too."
Meadow went on to thank the director of the movie for giving her the opportunity to be part of the franchise that her dad had enjoyed for so long. While speaking to People about Meadow's cameo in he film, Vin Diesel admitted, "It did something to my soul, to see her want to honor her father and to contribute in her own way to his life's work." He continued, saying, "It meant everything."