For over a decade, Vin Diesel has dazzled his audience with his love for family in the “Fast and Furious” franchise. In real life, the macho stud is a hands-on dad and a devoted lover. He is proud of their three kids and named one after his late friend, Paul Walker.
Vin Diesel earned his position as one of the industry’s highest-paid actors owing to his distinct identity—appearance and voice in action flicks. He has played the tough guy more than once, conscious of his masculinity in films like “XXX” and the “Fast and Furious” franchise films.
In reality, he is a compassionate, loving husband and father. It all began during his childhood. He was the oldest and the most supportive among his siblings.
According to Diesel in a one-on-one interview with Parade, he was a “super nanny” who looked after his little sister and brother. He changed diapers, made lunch, and ensured they were doing fine.
Consequently, he grew up with the habits and became an expert at handling kids. While filming the “Pacifiers,” the Hollywood star earned the nickname “Baby Whisperer.” While on the set with crying babies, Diesel recalled:
“Whenever the babies started crying, they’d call me, and I’d walk over and say, ‘OK, I can handle this.’ I’d pick up the baby who was crying and make this little noise, like, ‘Eeeeeee,’ and the baby would stop crying.”
These skills came in handy when the “Babylon A.D.” star became a father; it became easier to handle the responsibility. Although it was a new phase, he was acquainted with the duties, which made it more enjoyable.
Vin Diesel Took a Long Time to Become a Dad but Loves It Now
While his gentlemanliness and caring skills earned him more recognition on the set of “Pacifier,” the effect on the actor was more overwhelming.
Diesel began to crave a child. However, he wanted to have it with the right person and evolve into a good dad.
Following the birth of his daughter with his long-time partner, Paloma Jimenez, the Hollywood celebrity stayed true to his words. The couple welcomed two more kids, and after this, he replicated his childhood brotherly duties, changing diapers and being there for his kids.
The “2 Fast 2 Furious” star mentioned that having kids opened up parts of his heart he didn’t know existed. Diesel was not bothered about being judged for being a caring dad; all that mattered was his family. In his words:
“People go, ‘You’re a dad? You’re changing diapers? What’s up with the world?’ It’s like you have a child and you think, ‘Everything that I’ve done up until this point is insignificant in comparison to being a father.’ It’s a beautiful, beautiful thing.”
Diesel’s status as a renowned actor does not interfere with how he runs his family. The actor believes not all details should be out for public consumption. An example is his romance with Jimenez. The duo has been in a relationship for over a decade and are yet to share wedding vows, secretly or publicly.
Although they became an item in 2007, shortly before welcoming their first child, the attractive couple is tight-lipped about their affair, and they have refused to share details surrounding their first meeting. According to Diesel:
“I’m not gonna put it out there on a magazine cover like some other actors. I come from the Harrison Ford, Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino code of silence.”
While he prefers to keep everything about his love life in a personal vault, the action star loves to talk about his fatherhood journey and connection with his kids. The macho stud is father to two daughters, Similce and Pauline, and a son, Vincent, and he is proud of all three.
They spend time making happy memories and enjoying sacred holidays like Christmas. Apart from his pride, he gets easily emotional around his kids. He admitted:
“My kids move me to tears all the time. My daughter Similce said to me a couple of weeks ago, ‘Daddy, I know what song should [sic] at every funeral.’ I said, ‘What is it?’ And she said, ‘See You Again.’ That was not fair.”
The action movie genius does not mind exhibiting his emotions or beliefs near his children. Diesel, who sways to superstitions, acknowledged his son when he predicted that “XXX” would be a blockbuster while watching the trailer.
Vin Diesel Became Family to His Deceased Co-star Paul Waker
Fans were fascinated with Diesel’s close relationship with his co-star Paul Walker in the “Fast and Furious” franchise. The men nurtured a friendship that existed outside the cameras. Their lives offscreen were not entirely different from that onscreen — they were also like brothers.
It was Walker who encouraged Diesel to be present for his daughter’s birth. A few months after Walker’s death, Diesel described his relationship with his co-star in a Facebook post. He uploaded a photo of Walker and his first daughter. The caption read:
“He was an important part of my transition into fatherhood…that healthy family member, with the most positive outlook on life.”
The Hollywood giant welcomed another child after Walker’s death, and to honor their friendship, he named her Pauline. While speaking to Today’s correspondent, Natalie Morales, the actor confessed he felt the presence of his friend in the delivery room. In his words:
“He was in the room. There’s no other person that I was thinking about as I was cutting this umbilical cord. I just … knew he was there. It felt like, you know, a way to keep his memory a part of my family and a part of my world.”
Losing Walker was a devastating blow to the “F9” star — they bonded, and their connection was genuine. Diesel described him as his best friend and brother. But despite the tragedy that claimed his life in 2013, the actor remains full of hope, counting his blessings and making his friend proud by being the family man he is today.